Courtland G. Newton Jr.

Courtland G. Newton Jr. passed away on April 9, 2024 at the age of 88 in Valhalla, NY. He was born on September 2, 1935 in Libertyville, IL to Courtland G. Newton and Helene Counihan. As a child he was called Bill, after his maternal grandfather, William. Bill had a magical childhood running wild in the woods, participating in boy scouts, and playing high school football. He attended Knox College where he shed the name Bill, and was known as Court, graduating in 1957 with a bachelors in political science. Court loved his college years. He would fondly recall when, as the only person on campus who could play the banjo, he was conscripted into the theater production in a part that required a banjo player. He took to it like a duck to water and went to participate in many more theater productions. Later, Court applied his gift with words and love of writing to his work, starting as a feature writer for the Chicago Tribune, then at Leo Burnett Advertising, and finally onto public relations at Daniel J. Edelman, Inc. As a young man his passion was politics. He worked tirelessly on the Barry Goldwater presidential campaign, served as the first president of the Young Conservatives in Chicago, was a member of the Young Republicans, a member of the board of the Ripon Society, and was a founding member of the Philadelphia Society. He also served as moderator on the Chicago radio program, What’s Best for America.

In 1966 he married Yvonne Kalpers and together they had two children, Michelle and Courty. In 1971 Edelman transferred him to the New York office to serve as vice president. He bought a house in Hartsdale NY and was seemingly living the American dream until 1974 when he and Yvonne divorced. In 1978 he found Jesus, who became the main focus of his attention. He left his job at Edelman and opted for a more simple life. In 1981 he married Linda Melanson and moved to Valhalla, NY. They had two daughters, Grace and Faith. In the following years Court worked various jobs, such as running his own small PR business, selling headstones for Presbrey Leland, and working in real estate. His last job was at the front desk of Westwood pool until finally retiring at 85 years of age. Court had many passions and interests. An avid reader with an impressive personal library, he was rarely seen without a book in hand. His lifelong special interests included Native American history, Conservatism, and Christianity. With a deep appreciation for the outdoors, he loved to camp and hike. Court valued his health and engaged in activities such as walking, swimming, and martial arts. He dabbled in furniture making, creating the well-used and loved kitchen table that served him for over 40 years. A lover of music, he played the banjo, guitar, and harmonica, and wrote a collection of beautiful songs and hymns.

Court was predeceased by his father Courtland, his mother Helene, and his younger brother Joe. He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years Linda, his children; Michelle (Danny) Stangarone, Courty (Marcie) Newton, Grace (Jayce) Glynn, and Faith Newton (Geoffrey Adelsberg), and his grandchildren Em, Jack, Daniel, Lily, and Matthew.

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