Milton Newell Obituary

Milton O. Newell
September 17, 1932
December 26, 2024

Milton Newell passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, in Colorado Springs. Milton was born in the Panhandle town of Hereford, TX, to Orland (Bub) and Merle Newell. He had a younger sister, Myrna. Milton earned a degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University, and joined the USAF shortly thereafter.

During his time in the Air Force, he was able to travel the world. While stationed at Alconbury AFB in England, he met and married a fellow officer, a Bronx-born beauty, Helen Smythe. They had two children while in England, before returning to the US, and having another four.

After settling in Colorado, which was his great desire, Milton was called to serve in Vietnam. He was the navigator on an AC-130 Spectre Gunship, a dangerous assignment for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, among other honors.

Upon his retirement from the USAF, Milton kept busy with family and his myriad interests. He was a lover of music (from opera to The Beatles to Johnny Cash), and of art (especially Native American and Asian artwork), but his lifelong passion was coin collecting. He traveled around the country to attend coin shows, gave tours at The Money Museum, and enjoyed friendships with many in the coin community. He and Helen were both long-time docents at the Fine Art Center, where they also made many dear friends.

Milton was a man of intense curiosity, and was always learning something new. Up until his last days he could be found with his DVD player and headphones, learning about Roman architecture, extraterrestrials, or practicing his Japanese. But, as much as he enjoyed these solitary pursuits, his greatest joy was being with his wife, Helen. Until her passing in 2018, they loved traveling together, whether to exotic locations for R&R during his time in the Air Force, road trips to visit friends and family, or to explore new places that interested them. They enjoyed their faith community at Divine Redeemer, cherished spending time with their children and grandchildren, and always found ways to serve and care for people along the way. Their 58-year marriage was filled with laughter and love. A true partnership in every way.

Milton is survived by his six children: Jim (Nina), Marie (Mark), Suzy (Jon), Joey (Eric), Andy, (Juliet), and Lisa (Paul). He will also be missed by his 19 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, his friends and relatives, and an epic t-shirt collection.

Please join the family for a celebration of Milton's life on Tuesday, January 7, at 11 a.m. at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church in Colorado Springs. Viewing at 10:30 a.m. Burial with full military honors at Evergreen Cemetery at 1:30.