Clarence Newton Carleton, affectionately known as Newton, passed away on August 21, 2025, in Cedar City, Utah, leaving a profound legacy of faith, family, and kindness. Born on November 25, 1936, in Kingsland, Georgia, to Clarence Cecil Carleton and Anna Isobel Clark, Newton faced early challenges. His father died of throat cancer when Newton was 20 months old, leaving his mother, Anna, a registered nurse, to raise him and his infant sister, Ella Marion, with support from their aunt, Alice Clark. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and after Anna’s remarriage to Royal Swasey Jr., relocated to Molen, Utah, in 1946, later settling in Ferron and Price, Utah, where siblings, Annette, Frances, Wayne, and Beverly joined the family.
Newton’s work ethic was evident from childhood. At eight, he shoveled irrigation ditches; as a teen, he sacked grain and worked on a dairy farm. From 18 to 20, he managed the family farm, later taking jobs in Price detailing cars, at a service station, and with the Bureau of Land Management survey crew. In 1960, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission, covering Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. In 1961, after serving as a National Guard mail clerk, Newton’s prayers for employment were answered with a 30-year career at the US Forest Service, retiring in 1993.
On November 25, 1964—his 28th birthday—Newton married his eternal companion, Ella Dean Powell, a date chosen to ensure he’d never forget their anniversary. They raised six children: Lee, Connie, DeAnn, Jed, Janna, and Joy. Newton balanced roles as a bishop, dairy farm owner in Wellington, Utah, and Forest Service employee. The family moved to Alamosa and Delta, Colorado, to pursue Newton’s farming dreams, but later relocated to Cedar City, Utah, sacrificing the farm to secure in-state tuition for their children’s education. All six children earned bachelor’s degrees—four at Southern Utah University, two at Brigham Young University—with four in education, three earning master’s degrees, and one a doctorate.
Despite health challenges, including Parkinson’s for Newton and heart issues for Ella, their devotion endured. They returned to Wellington in 2008 to be near siblings and moved back to Cedar City in 2023 for family support. Newton’s kindness was boundless, always offering a “Thank you” and sharing his cherished sweets—pie, brownies, ice cream, and candies—from a constant candy jar and Kool-Aid pitcher. In his final years, despite physical limitations, Newton’s focus remained on Ella, assisting her with tasks like putting on her shoes and constantly seeking her presence.
A faithful servant, Newton served as bishop of Wellington 2nd Ward, in four other bishoprics, and as an ordinance worker in the St. George Temple. He loved reading Louis L’Amour novels, raising sheep and cows, and farming alfalfa.
Newton is survived by his beloved wife, Ella Dean; children, Lee (Connie), Connie (Corey) Beck, DeAnn (Earl) Sevy, Jed (Janece), Janna (Trevor) Bundy, and Joy (Nick) Sorenson; 18 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and siblings, Marion (Gary) Bowie, Annette (Chall) Cook, Frances Swasey, Wayne (Earlene) Swasey, and Beverly Fryer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Cecil Carleton and Anna Isobel Clark Carleton Swasey; step-father, Royal Swasey Jr.; and siblings, Cecil Carleton and David Fryer.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to DeAnn and Earl Sevy, Atlas Homecare & Hospice, Three Peaks Assisted Living, and Holly Clark for their compassionate care of Newton in his final years.
Funeral service, Saturday, August 30, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at the Wellington Fourth Ward Chapel (47 North 100 East) in Wellington. The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Wellington City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Newton online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net
Newton’s life exemplified love, patience, and service, and his family invites friends to join in celebrating his enduring impact.