Jerald Emmet Newton

Jerry was born in Erie, Pennsylvania to William and Margaret Newton. He was the eldest of three children. After many moves from Florida, to Michigan, to Texas, and finally to California, Jerry completed high school at Loma Linda Union Academy in 1959. He began his beloved career in the fire service in Loma Linda, California. In 1961, he met the love of his life, Joyce Battiste as she was walking by the fire station. He said it was “love at first sight.” and they married March 1 of that year. To this union, two girls were born: Jenina (Jody) and Julie. While working for Perris City Fire Station as a City Fireman and Forrest Fire Truck Driver, Jerry and Joyce moved to Crestline, California in 1968. While working full time he also attended San Bernardino Valley College and then transferred to Mount San Jacinto College where he graduated with an Associ-ate of Science degree in General Forestry, with Honorable Mention, in 1972.

Jerry worked for the California Department of Forestry at Camp Pilot Rock where he was a Fire Crew Supervisor from 1970 - 1983. He continued another branch of his fire career with the US Forrest Service in the San Bernardino National Forest as the Fleet Equipment Manager and Wild-fire Logistics Section Chief ll, as well as a being selected for the National Fire Team managing large fires, like the historic Yellowstone Fires in 1988. He then moved his skill set more locally, opening a fire extinguisher business and years later, he became a licensed Painting Contractor, beautifying many homes and businesses in our mountain communities.

His passions in life were always centered in the great outdoors; building barns and stables for the horses, landscaping and gardening flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, and large pumpkins, the largest winner at 252 lbs for the Annual Jensens Pumpkin Growing contest. Jerry was an avid reader and collector of Louis L' Amour books, as well as other authors. He loved camping and building and racing dune buggies at Glamis, CA. Later, he enjoyed wilderness camping and hunting in Utah, and South Dakota. Jerry enjoyed each passion to the fullest extent, and loved sharing his pas-sions with his friends and family through storytelling and shared experiences. Jo, his girls, and his family were very important to Jerry as well as every friendship he had was appreciated and val-ued.

Jerry was a proud, long-term supporter of Arrowhead Fish and Game Conservation Club, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the National Rifle Associa-tion, and Ducks Unlimited: a non-profit organization dedicated to Wetland and Waterfowl Con-servation.

Jerry will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. He and Jo are together once again, in peace.

He is survived by his sister Rashelle (Dennis) Stirewalt, his daughters Jody Comer, Julie (Bob) Oaks, 4 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and so many beloved family and friends. Jerry’s service will be held at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3520 East Washington Street Colton, CA 92324 on Wednesday, October 7th at 1 pm. For those who are unable to attend, we invite you to share your memories at the Montecito website.