Alexander Durham Newton

Alexander Newton Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Alexander Durham Newton
Start: 2024-01-27T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Episcopal Church of the Advent

Alexander Durham Newton, 79, died peacefully at his longtime family home, Bonar Hall, in Madison on the evening of January 15, 2024.

He is survived by his first wife of 33 years Elizabeth (Betsy) Wagenhauser; children Nicola Taylor Newton and Simon Alexander Newton; brothers Edward Taylor Newton III and William Bonar Newton and their families.

Alex was born on August 6, 1944, in Madison, Georgia, to Colonel Edward T. Newton and Laura (Polly) Newton, both of whom predeceased him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Episcopal Church of the Advent on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 1 p.m. followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Madison Morgan Community Food Pantry, P.O. Box 407, Madison, GA 30650, or www.paypal.com/paypalme/mmcfoodpantry

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morgan County Citizen on Jan. 25, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Alexander Newton

8 Entries

Jay singer

August 11, 2024

His travel guide to Central Africa was my favorite out of a hundred or so that I own. I used it to go to Zaire and had the most intense experience ever going down the Congo River on the Government Riverboat in 1991. I still have three of his books. He is the one Lonely Planet Author I wanted to talk to.

Sarah John

January 31, 2024

Dear Betsy and younger Newtons,
This is such terribly sad news and I send you my condolences and hugs. I've just returned from Haiti and found the sad message from Ann Lancaster. It is inconceivable that his adventurous, kind, compassionate time is gone. Alex was ( and is) a bright star in the firmament! May his name be for a blessing. Love, Sarah

Francois de Paul

January 29, 2024

I have got to know Alex during his short stay in Burkina as acting Country Representative for USAID, back in 2019. Never met a kind and soft-spoken gentkeman like him before, trust me. Despite being a a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer, I was litterally astonished by his display of stamina and enthusiasm. He would not say a word that hearts anyone. First to show up in the office, he is always the last person to leave, but even working sometimes during odd hours. At such extent that I got worried about his health. But he didn't just care, he used to tell me: we have to have that task in today... the Ambassador is waiting for it, so etc. He was the kind of a very well organized person who would not leave any concern or task unaddressed...Until I learned that he has a brain cancer sometime in 2020, after one of his trips to Burkina Faso. But he got some treatment and everything became like normal. We stayed connected via emails. He had promised to visit us again, one of these days. And then I lost track of Alex, although I was still hopeful that nothing bad happened to him...It is too sad that such a beautiful heart is leaving us now, but his legacy will survive forever. Alex, may your perfect soul rest in peace. You have fought the right fight and we will never forget you.

Saadatou

January 29, 2024

Alex has made such a difference in our lives here in Burkina Faso. I feel so blessed to have known such a warm heart and incredibly kind and generous man. May his soul rest in peace, Amin!

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Modibo Traore

January 28, 2024

I am Modibo Traoré from USAID Mali! I had the opportunity to work under Alex while he was our mission Director and also in Burkina Faso where I went for a TDY. Alex was a very good Director and Advisor!!! Sincere condolences to his family from myself and colleagues! We missed him! May he rest in peace!

Madeleine Ouoba

January 26, 2024

Alex was my Boss at USAID Burkina Faso! My colleagues and I enjoyed working with him and for him! I personally learnt a lot under his leadership! Alex was great with people and diversity! He was a great mentor to me and my colleagues. I learnt patience, positivity and kindness with Alex! He never got mad and always had a smile and a positive attitude! I will never forget what Alex has done for me. He gave me opportunities that took me very far in my career! I kept in touch with him and it was always a pleasure talking to him. I miss him. My deepest condolences to his family I never had the chance to meet. May Alex rest in perfect peace!

Judy Goll

January 25, 2024

To the Newton family
While I only had the opportunity to meet Alex once, I will remember him as a very sweet and kind man.
May all your treasured memories bring you joy as he rests in peace.
Judy Goll

Mark Wentling

January 23, 2024

Visited his house in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. He was the only person I ever knew who had a household pet a pig.
He also showed up in Conakry, Guinea at my house in the 1980s. He mentioned the hotel he was staying in, but I had never heard of it. Later I learned he was staying there because he was a contributor to the Lonely Planet travel guide.
The last time I saw him was in early 2019 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (see attached pic of us.) Definitely, he was one of a kind. His passing makes me very sad. He was one of a kind.

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