Kelly Newton

1957 - 2025

Kelly Newton

January 31, 1957 - May 11, 2025

Kelly Newton passed away peacefully in his home in Boise Idaho on Sunday May 11th due to complications from Parkinson's disease at the age of 68.

Kelly was born on January 31st 1957 to James and Joyce Newton in Salt Lake City Utah. He is the third of four children that grew up in the Cottonwood Heights suburb of Salt Lake. His siblings: Kim, Kevin, and Kyle survive him and concede that he is their favorite. Kelly's quick smile and ability to extract the humor out of life gave him an uncanny ability to be friends with everyone. His easy-going demeanor served him well as his family moved across southern Idaho in his formative years. From Salt Lake the family moved to Caldwell, then Idaho Falls where he played his first year of varsity basketball for the Tigers. His junior year he moved to Twin Falls where Kelly "Root'n Toot'n" Newton's fancy shootin' helped the Bruins win a state championship in 1974. After graduating high school he attended Boise State University receiving a degree in construction management. While in college he met and married Debra Hall and welcomed his first of three sons, Casey, into the world in October 1981. In 1989 he married Anne Struthers and two years later he would have his second son, Camron, followed by the uncontested favorite Garrett in 1995.

Kelly found driving the endless dirt roads through Idaho's backcountry a pathway to peace. The forests and mountains of Idaho is where his spirit found solace. He shared his connection with nature with his sons, taking them camping, backpacking and spending weekends barefoot in the backyard tending to his plants. Kelly could spend hours looking at maps and dreamed of one day backpacking from Atlanta Idaho to Redfish Lake. He accomplished that dream with Casey and Camron in the summer of 2019.

Kelly's love of nature was rivaled only by his passion for sports. Blue and orange were the only colors acceptable after his picnic table flannels and signature white vest. Kelly could be found at every Boise State home game with good friends Jerry and Jill Barbour. His love of Bronco sports took him to games across the country, including the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, all of which he shared with his sons.

No hobby took up more of his time than Casey, Camron, and Garrett. His devotion to fatherhood was unwavering and his top priority. He allowed his kids to grow into the individuals they are without judgement and with full support. His echoes of wisdom will continue to resonate in all those around him. "Find your peace of mind."

A celebration of life for Kelly Newton will be held on Saturday May 31st at 1 p.m. The celebration will be held at his home at 1304 Johnson Street, Boise ID 83705. Kelly would want you to come as you are, and would insist that no one dresses up or, "makes a big deal" about him so please respect the casual dress code.