Stephen Harrel "Steve" Newton

1948 - 2017

Stephen "Steve" Harrel Newton
1948 ~ 2017
Stephen "Steve" Harrel Newton died on August 27, 2017 in Meridian, Idaho at the age of 69.
Steve was born to parents James and Emaline Newton in Winfield, KS on June 30, 1948. His family moved to Colorado in 1957 and settled in the Denver area in 1960. He graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in June 1966, and was an active member of the band, orchestra, jazz band and concert choir. In 1966, he enrolled at Western State College, in Gunnison, CO, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education in 1970, double majoring in instrumental and vocal music education. Steve earned a master's degree in trumpet performance and, years later, a master's degree in counseling.
In June 1970, Steve married his high school sweetheart, LuAnn Stevenson. They welcomed two children, Aaron and Sara.
Steve taught music in Denver, Durango, and Grand Junction, CO. In 1983, the Newton family moved to Idaho Falls, ID, where Steve was the choral director at Skyline High School. He later became a school counselor in the Idaho Falls area for 12 years. While in Idaho Falls, he also was an adjunct trumpet instructor at then Ricks College for 16 years and enjoyed performing with the many community music organizations. Steve played the lead role in many operas and musicals, including Fiddler on the Roof, The Mikado, Music Man, and The Merry Widow. He conducted 15 school district musicals and 12 community musicals.
In 2001, the Newtons moved to the Treasure Valley, where Steve spent one year as a high school counselor in the Nampa School District, before taking over the instrumental and vocal music programs at Kuna High School in 2002. He was very proud to build a strong foundation for the music program in Kuna. In 2012, Steve received the "Idaho Educator of the Year" award, presented by the Idaho Music Education Association.
In 2012, Steve retired from public education after 42 years of service. During this time, he enjoyed fishing and traveling with LuAnn. In 2016, they took the "trip of a lifetime" to the British Isles and France. Steve was most proud to attend a choral performance of The Faure Requiem at Notre Dame Cathedral.
Steve is survived by his wife, LuAnn Newton; his daughter, Sara Newton-Klitz; his brother, Ron Newton; his five grandchildren, Garrett, Isabelle, and AnnaKate Newton, and Benjamin and Jacob Klitz. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Emaline Newton, and his son, Aaron Newton.
There will be two memorial services scheduled to celebrate Steve's life and accomplishments, on September 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Boise, ID with a reception to follow, and on September 15, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls, ID. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the "Newton Music Scholarship" to Kuna High School, c/o Kuna Education Foundation (checks addressed to), 637 E. Deer Flat Rd, Kuna, ID 83634. To view full obituary and to share memories and condolences, please visit www.summersfuneral.com.