Chuck Newton

Chuck Newton, 78, passed away Monday (June 16, 2014) at his residence following a brief illness.
In his life, Chuck had myriad interests: family, friends, radio, the US Army 101st Airborne, Virginia National Guard, American Legion, post #265, the Gate City community, Gate City High School football, and the Gate City Little League (President, 10 years). All those items notwithstanding, there were times and occurrences when Gate City High School football jumped all other interests. He was the epitome of a true GCHS football fan.
After completing his US Army service (101st Airborne), Chuck was hired as an on-air personality for WGAT in Gate City. After learning his trade and honing his skills, he was soon hired by WKIN as mid-day host. During his tenure there, he ushered in the Beatles era in the Tri-Cities with a daily, dedicated block of music. He soon moved to Bristol then Bluefield, WVA, before returning to WGAT. Chuck emceed area shows for many entertainers, including Bill Monroe, Webb Pierce, Bobby Venton, Alabama, the Wilburn Brothers, Porter Waggoner, Bill Anderson, Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Brenda Lee, B.J. Thomas, Jerry Reed, the Statler Brothers, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. In the mid-70’s, he moved to WGOC and began his career with county music, a career field that lasted until he was medically retired in the mid-80’s from WLSD, Big Stone Gap, VA.
In the late ‘60’s while at WGAT, he recorded the (in)famous “Big Blue Cannonball”, a recording that soon became synonymous with Gate City High School football. While president of Gate City’s Little League, he was able to refurbish the local playing fields and introduces lighting for nighttime play.
Always ready to serve his community, he proudly served in the Virginia National Guard as a Public Affairs Officer and was a proud member of the American Legion. Additionally, he served his community as the Gate City Sergeant at Arms and as president of the Dan’l Boone Community Club. As president of the later, he lead the effort to create and install a community memorial that stands witness to all those who served the United States from the Dan’l Boone community.
He is preceded in death by his father, Claude Newton, mother Margret Jane Balthis, two sons, Charles Anthony and Shannon Dane Newton, sister Judy Balthis Wells, sisters-in-law Betty Wellmaker, Elizabeth Barbour, and Mary Ann Lawson; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Johnson, B.L.Wilder, and Onnie Hale.
His is survived by his wife of 60 years, Arletha Newton of Gate City; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Mary Beth Newton, Bonita, CA: daughter Theresa, Gate City; grandson, Zeke, Gate City; sisters, Joan Wilder, Kingsport, TN and Alpha Stanley, Gate City; brother, Walther Balthis, Gate City; several nephews and nieces.
Chuck is also survived by special friends James ‘Jim’ Smith, Don Stokes, Gerald Price, and Eloise Stallard.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Friday, June 20, 2014 at the Gate City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Jeff DeBoard and Rev. R.D. Stallard officiating. Stanley Rogers, Curtis and Kevin Hale, and Jeff Wilder will provide the music.
Military Graveside services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Bellamy Cemetery, Waycross, VA by the American Legion Post #3 and Post #265, Gate City, VA assisted by members of the Virginia Army National Guard Honor Guard. Mark Drinnon, Paul Hale, Gary Hale, Kenny Johnson, Phil Johnson, and Bryan Johnson will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Daniel Boone Community Club will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home to go in procession to the graveside service.
An online guest register is available for the Newton family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.
Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Chuck Newton.