Edward Colston Newton, V “Coley” age 47, died at his home in Lyells, VA on July 11 after a three-year long battle with melanoma. He was surrounded by his family.

Coley is survived by his wife Katherine Scates Newton; son Edward C. Newton, VI “Lee”; mother Jane C. Matney (John); father Edward C. Newton IV; brother John T. Newton (Shannon); sister Cynthia Newton and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Coley was born at Fort Polk, LA, and he spent most of his youth in the Tidewater Region and the areas of Hague and Kinsale in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

After graduating from Blue Ridge School near Charlottesville, Coley attended Ferrum College before joining the Army. He played varsity football at both Blue Ridge and Ferrum. For several years he was voted onto the All-Independent School football teams for his championship level play on the offensive and defensive lines.

Joining the Army as a private, Coley rose through the ranks to Master Sergeant in the Infantry, graduating Ranger School and earning his Master Parachutist Badge. He held leadership positions as a Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Jump Master while serving in the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions. In 2006, he joined the War on Terrorism, deploying in 14 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, most of them as a member of the Asymmetric Warfare Group while on active duty and then as a contracted Operational Advisor.

From childhood, Coley was an avid and able hunter and fisherman. A natural with firearms, he was an excellent marksman with rifles, pistols and shotguns. His outdoor skills enabled him to be a renowned waterfowl, turkey and deer hunter. His angling skills landed many trophy sized fresh and salt water fish.

The Northern Neck Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution surprised Coley in May by awarding him the SAR’s Heroism Award. He said afterward that it was the greatest honor he ever had.

Services are to be held Saturday, July 14 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Oldhams, VA, where he was a member. Pallbearers will be David Duchene, Dennis Gallagher, Chandler Hogg, Dennis Jenkins, Curtis Jenkins, and Craig Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are Doug Jenkins, Sr., Dickie Brooks, and Charlie Davison.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lee’s college fund: https://www.gofundme.com/edward-c-newton-v.

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