Robby Newton
Today we celebrate the life of Mr. James Robert (Robby) Newton. He was born on November 28, 1945, in Campbellsville, Kentucky to the late Malcom Derr Newton and Martha Elizabeth Newton. Robby grew up with many siblings in the countryside of Hwy 744 and Newton Lane in Taylor County. He passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10:46 p.m. in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family.
He united in marriage to his beloved Diane Clements on February 12, 1966. He and Diane lived in Tacoma, Washington while he served in the U.S. Army. They have three children and six grandchildren: Gerald and wife Carissa of Indianapolis, Indiana; Tammy Sluder and husband, Bernie; Troy Newton and wife Lesley all of Campbellsville, Ky. Robby was blessed with six grandchildren who called him “Pappy”, Natalie Hughes and husband, Cameron; Eric Sluder and wife, Leigh Ann; Katie Rogers and husband, Jordan; Chrissy Holian and husband, Dean; Addison Newton and Owen Newton; and three great grandchildren, Tatum Sluder, Hunter Holian and Isabeau Hughes. All other friends of children and grandchildren called him “Pappy” as he welcomed them into their home with open arms. He never met a stranger and loved everyone.
He was drafted at age 20 and turned 21 in Vietnam. Later he was stationed in Ft. Knox, Kentucky and then on to Ft. Hood, Texas where he took basic training and then on to Ft. Lewis, Washington for advanced training. He was awarded the following medals while deployed: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Army Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. He was also awarded a Certificate of Gratitude and Respect from a former veteran and Hosparus Health. He gained the rank as Sergeant, James Robert Newton of the US Army Artillery, Vietnam in 1966-67.
After being discharged from the Army, he worked as a mechanic and restaurant owner. Along with his siblings, he learned to cook from his mother, Elizabeth Newton. Little did he know he would cook for many people over the years at the Stockyards Restaurant and Mannsville Restaurant. Later he and his wife started Newton’s Country Cookin’ Restaurant where they served the best catfish around. He was known to drink diet mountain dew many times every day while watching the Kentucky Wildcats, Westerns and Dirt Track Racing. Robby was a member of the American Legion Post 82 where he served as Sergeant‑at‑Arms.
Robby loved being at home surrounded by his family. Over the years, he and his brother, Shorty, traveled to many dirt track races while helping his son, Gerald. His last adventure was a trip to visit Washington, D.C. with the Honor Flight Bluegrass. Escorted by his daughter Tammy and joined by his son Troy, he was invited to take an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to view monuments including Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Wall, which bears the name of Americans who did not return to civilian life. During this visit, he was greeted by name by Kentucky congressman, Mr. Morgan McGarvey. He also made a new friend, Mr. Jim Parker.
He is survived by his three children and six grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a bonus granddaughter, Bre Miles, brothers Orville and wife, Rena; Shorty his wife, Delores, and brothers-in-law, Robert Carol Clements, Jody Clements and wife, Faye and sisters-in-law, Charlene Hughes, Peggy Clements, and Ann Clements, and many nieces and nephews, caregivers Tara Haulk, Kerrie Benningfield, Holly Avila, Judd Furkin, Delores Newton, Alexis Ellis and Jarie Newby-all who loved and cared for him deeply. A special caregiver of ten years, Shannon Krebbs, shared a friendship and took excellent care of him.
In his childhood he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was a member of the Pitman Valley Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Diane Clements Newton and his father, Malcom Derr Newton and mother, Martha Elizabeth Newton, sister, Martha Nell Benningfield; brothers Glen Newton and Dannie Newton.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 9th from 5-8 p.m. and Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 10th at 1:00 p.m. at Parrott and Ramsey Funeral Home with full military honors by the Marion County Veterans Honor Guard. Burial to follow at Campbellsville Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers include Cameron Hughes, Owen Newton, Dean Holian, Jordan Rogers, Allen Newton, Timmy Newton, Ziggy Newton, Billy Benningfield, Mark Speer, Jeddy Chastain, Shannon Krebbs, and Eric Sluder. Memoriam pallbearers include Johnny Newton, Ricky Appleby, and Michael Appleby. Bro. John Russell, Bro. Dannie Nelson and Bro. Timmy Coghill will be officiating.
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Scotty Thomas Smith, Jr. of the Speck Ridge Community of Elk Horn, the son of the late Scotty Thomas Smith Sr, and Linda Sue (Morris) Smith, was born October 26, 1947 in Taylor County, KY and departed this life on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at his home. He was 59 years of age.
