David Newton

NEWTON, David G.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of David Godfrey Newton.

David Godfrey Newton, 77, died unexpectedly on September 6, 2025. David was born on January 23, 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia, son of John T. Newton and Virginia Cheatham Newton. He was a proud native of Griffin his entire life.

David attended public schools in Griffin-Spalding County and graduated from Darlington School in Rome, GA, class of 1966. He was president of his senior class at Darlington, and was later a trustee of the school. He continued his education at The University of Georgia and graduated in 1970. While at Georgia, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Going through the ROTC program, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and served 2 years, mainly at Fort Bliss, TX. He returned to UGA after his service and earned an MBA at the Terry College of Business.

He began his working career at First National Bank of Griffin, and later worked for Dundee Mills, Inc., where he retired as a Vice President in 1996 when Dundee was sold to Springs Industries, Inc. He started a new career in real estate acquisition and development for a number of years. Since his retirement, he concentrated on philanthropy. He was a major supporter of schools, churches, and local charities. In 2019, he founded and endowed The John and Virginia Newton Scholarship fund for students attending high schools in Spalding County for colleges in the Georgia University system.

David served as a director of First National Bank of Griffin for many years, was a member of Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club in Cashiers, NC, and a member of the Deck Club. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Griffin for more than 50 years, a former deacon and a loyal member of The Brothers Sunday School class.

David is survived by his brother, John T. Newton, Jr. (Harriet); his sister, Jan Newton Miller; nieces, Ann Trammell Newton and Virginia Mooney Jones (Ryan); and nephews, John Paul Bevilaqua and Franklin Kempton Mooney, Jr.; great-nephew, Wyck Jones; and longtime friend and companion, Whitney Wheaton. He was preceded in death by sister, Victoria Newton Mooney; and nephews, John T. Newton III and Matthew Newton Bevilaqua.

A memorial service celebrating the life of David G. Newton will be held on September 10, 2025, 2:00 PM at The First Baptist Church of Griffin, preceded by visitation at the church starting at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stepping Stones, 141 Futral Rd., Griffin, GA 30224, St. George's Episcopal School, 103 Birch St., Milner, GA 30257, and Midway Recovery, 119 S. 10th St., Griffin, GA.

Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Road, Griffin, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements.