Alex W. Newton

Alexander Worthy Newton, age 85, passed away on December 25, 2015. Alex was born on June 19, 1930, in Birmingham, Alabama, and was a life-long resident of Birmingham. He was raised in the northside of Birmingham and graduated from Phillips High School in 1948. He was an Eagle Scout and longtime supporter of Boy Scouts of America. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated in 1952 where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 2014, Sigma Chi International selected him as a Significant Sig, one of the highest honors in the fraternity. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Infantry during the Korean War and was discharged a Captain. He graduated from the University of Alabama Law School in 1957 and began practicing with the law firm of Hare, Wynn & Newell and in a few years, the firm name was changed to Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton. He spent his entire career with that firm and his practice was almost exclusively representing the plaintiff in jury trials. At one time, he had the most million dollar jury verdicts for the plaintiff of any lawyer in Alabama. He was very active in legal organizations that supported the practice of a trial lawyer. He was a member of the Birmingham Bar Association and served on the Executive Committee. He was executive secretary of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association; elected to the Jefferson County Judicial Nominating Commission; President, University of Alabama Law School Foundation; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (State Committee Chair); President, International Society of Barristers; Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers (state chairman and member of the Board of Directors); Member, American Bar Association; and served on various committees of the Alabama Bar Association. He was named Lawyer of the Year in 2007 by the Birmingham Bar Association; awarded the Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1982 by the University of Alabama Law School; and the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1984 by the Farrah Law Society of the University of Alabama. During his service with the Birmingham Bar Association Executive Committee, he was the driving force behind nominating and electing the first African-American member to the Executive Committee, who later became the president of the Birmingham Bar Association. During his service with the Jefferson County Judicial Nominating Committee, he was instrumental in nominating Birmingham's first African-American judge who was then appointed by the governor. He was a member of the Leadership Alabama Class IV and was a founding member of the Board of Directors of First Commercial Bank (Synovus). He was a member of Independent Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon. He had a strong commitment that lawyers should give back to their community and he was very proud of his service to the City of Birmingham. He served as Vice-President on the Birmingham Racing Commission (horse racing); Member, Board of Directors and Chairman of Finance Committee for 16 years of the Birmingham Airport Authority; Member, Board of Directors for St. Vincent's Hospital Foundation; Member, Board of Directors for Jefferson County Health Care Authority and Member, Board of Directors for Alabama Trust Fund. He was a member of the Country Club of Birmingham; Shoal Creek Club; Capital City Club (Atlanta); University Club (New York); Garden of the Gods Club (Colorado Springs); and the American Legion (Homewood). He was a member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club for over 50 years and served as a member of The Team. Alex was fiercely loyal to his friends who called on him to help one way or another. One of his long-time friends made the following comments: "I started the first grade with him and I never knew him to back away from a fight or turn his back on a friend." He was an active member of the Democratic Party and was co-chairman of the Alabama Finance Committee for President Lyndon B. Johnson, President Jimmy Carter, Candidate Michael Dukakis and President Bill Clinton. He was preceded in his death by his parents Annis Kelly Newton and Jeff H. Newton. He taught us how to laugh; he taught us how to cry. He taught us how to live and he taught us how to die. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue Aldridge Newton, son Lamar (Martha) Aldridge Newton, daughters Kelly (Clark) Newton Hammond and Jane Worthy Newton, son Robins (DeeDee) Jeffry Newton, M.D., grandchildren, Kathryn (Jake) N. Collins, Alex (Jesse) W. Newton, II, Margaret (Carter) H. Manuel, Albert N. Hammond, Kilby N. Hammond, Charles A. Newton and Sydney M. Newton, sister Margaret Ann N. Wagenecht, 6 great grandchildren, 2 nieces and 1 nephew. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Children's Fresh Air Farm in care of Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205. Graveside services will he held Tuesday, Dec. 29th, 2:00 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetary for family and close friends. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec 31st, 11:00 a.m. at Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue. There will be a visitation immediately following the memorial service.