On April 19, 2026, Kenton (Ken) Dean Newton of Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 82 after a lengthy battle with Cancer.

Ken was born in 1943 to Wilma and Everett Newton in North Platte, Nebraska. He spent most of his childhood; and attended high school in Sterling, Colorado; until he entered the United States Navy at the age of 17. Ken earned his GED through the United States Armed Forces Institute Hawaii and proudly served as a torpedoman and radioman, from 1960-1964 while stationed at US Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii / U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Frontier (AD-25) / U.S. Naval station, Long Beach, California and then navy reserve from 1964 to 1966.

Following his time in the military, Ken returned to the Colorado area where he began college coursework and worked for the Colorado Department of Highways constructing highways and roadways. He then moved to the Black Hills area where he received his associate of science in accounting and Bachelor of Science in data processing from the National College of Business. He held various positions in sales and accounting until he found his way back into construction as a surveyor, crew chief and foreman building bridges and roadways throughout the Black Hills. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a thirst for knowledge, Ken would go on to continue coursework in the area of computer science and explore various jobs in accounting, computer programming, software development, and IT. Ultimately, Ken would return to construction as a supervisor and project manager where he completed projects in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota; and a few of the National Parks, until his retirement in 2020.

Ken was an amazing father instilling hard work and education as cornerstones into his children’s lives. He also introduced his family to many activities including fishing, tennis, golf, and skiing and coached his son and daughter’s baseball, softball and basketball teams. Throughout his life he had many interests and passions including watching old westerns and sci-fi movies, reading, music, photography, playing cards, umpiring, and cheering on the Denver Broncos every Sunday. In retirement, Ken enjoyed living near the entrance of Spearfish Canyon, watching wildlife, tending to his flowers and enjoying the summer months of the Black Hills area. He especially loved traveling and experiencing the music of Deadwood nights with his wife, Linda.

His kids and grandkids were a source of great pride, and he enjoyed the memories made and time spent together during family holiday get-togethers, annual fourth of July celebrations in Colorado and Spearfish; and many hiking and fishing adventures.

Ken is survived by his wife Linda Garcia-Newton; his daughter Sara and son-in-law Michael Drumheller and grandchildren Cole, Camden and Creesen of Papillion, Nebraska; his son Ross and daughter-in-law, Shannon Newton, grandchildren Megan, Ashley and Brandon of Tucson, Arizona; his ex-wife and mother of his children, Carol Newton of Tucson, Arizona; and his sister, Elaine Stark of Laramie, Wyoming.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Wilma; his stepmother Veva; special friend to his father; Thresa; his father, Everett; and brothers, LaVerne and Donald.

A memorial service is planned for Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish, SD. After which, Ken’s cremains will be laid to rest at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with full military honors rendered by the Spearfish VFW Post 5860. Immediately following the burial, a celebration of life will be held at the North Shelter of Spearfish Park where Ken enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ken’s doctors, nurses and hospice caregivers from Monument Health of Spearfish / Rapid City for the incredible care they provided during this difficult time.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/