Newton Lilborn “Smokey” Sloan died peacefully at home on his 90th birthday, November 7th, 2022 in Boulder Montana.
Newton, also known as “Smokey”, was born in Potosi, Missouri, November 7,1932, to John Chester and Ellen Baker Sloan, the sixth of nine children. After high school, he joined the Navy, which was a family tradition, as both his father and elder brother had served during WWI and WWII. He spent 23 years in the Navy as an electrician, having proudly served the majority of his time on the supercarrier, USS Kitty Hawk, as well as other ships. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer Electrician’s Mate.
After retirement, Newt relocated to Helena, Montana, attracted to the scenic beauty, “elbow-room,” hunting and fishing. (Some suspect he was getting as far away from the ocean as possible, having had enough of that!) Over the years he worked as an electrician at the smelter as well as other places in and around Helena. “Smokey” was the quintessential outdoorsy guy, with a lot of “handyman karma.” He knew how a lot of things worked and truly enjoyed the challenge of pitting himself against the elements.
Newt is survived by his son, Darryl (wife JoAnn), of San Diego, his grandson, Nick (wife Sara), of Kaneohe, Hawaii, and a brand-new great granddaughter, Ripley Jean, born last July. Surviving siblings are Judy Heeter (Richard) and Larry Sloan, both of Potosi, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Doris Evans Casebolt, of Helena, and siblings Monroe, Lillian, Imogene, Norma and Tommy in Missouri.
Newt was married to Jynell Henry of Potosi, Alice Wages (deceased) of Helena, Montana and Marie Beveridge, with whom he enjoyed 27 years of marriage until her death in 2017. He had relocated to Boulder, Montana, with Marie and they liked small town living, socializing at the Boulder Senior Center, attending concerts in the park, gardening and caring for their beloved dog, Pokey, who was Newt’s constant companion until his death. Newt was a member of the First Presbyterian Church congregation in Helena and later, Grace Community Fellowship.
“Smokey” was particularly proud of his grandson, Nick, who was appointed to the Naval Academy at Annapolis and played football for Navy. He traveled to Nick’s commencement ceremony and was bursting with pride to give him his first salute upon graduation in 2016.
The family is grateful to Kathy Falzerano and other Boulder friends and neighbors who volunteered for dog walks and helped out whenever needed. Special thanks go to Mark Kishbaugh, Physician’s Assistant of the Boulder Clinic, who made Newt’s life more tolerable during the last few weeks of his illness.
Burial with military honors is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2023 at Fort Harrison in Helena.
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
1:00 p.m.
Friday May 19, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
1:00 p.m.
Friday May 19, 2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Tom Carey Jr says
Smokey was a great friend. I helped him get deer and antelope on our land . We hunted together and he would come down and helped work cattle . He would stop and would visit when he was going through. We’re going to miss him. Thoughts and prayers for his family
Tom/Judy Rolfe says
Smokey was a good friend and a fine Christian man, he will certainly be missed by many. Rest In Peace Smokey, you Marie are together again!❣️
Tom/Judy Rolfe says
Smokey was a good friend and a fine Christian man, he will certainly be missed.
Lonny says
Will miss seeing Smokey in church. Was glad to know he appreciated bass guitar. 🙂
Marcia Magnus says
Sorry to hear about Smokey. He was an encouraging smiling guy at church.
Barbara Evans says
My Uncle Newt, aka Smokey Sloan, was a frequent visitor to our home in Helena as long as I can remember as he spent some of his leave from the Navy with my mom and dad, Doris and Wilbur Evans. Newt was my mother’s younger brother and he developed a bond with my dad who was a hunter, fisher and all-around outdoorsy type, just like Newt. After the Navy, Newt moved to Montana and found happiness living in Boulder with his wife of 27 years, Marie, who passed in 2017. Newt died on his 90th birthday last November and the remaining family is providing a proper military send-off for an old salt at Ft. Harrison on Friday, May 19, at 1:00 pm.
Julia Joyce says
I loved my great uncle Newt very much. He was such a character! My husband and I enjoyed hearing his stories about hunting and fishing, (and everything else in between). He’d tell it with a sparkle in his eye and that sideways-Sloan smile, you could sit and listen for days, whether it was true or not, LOL. When he was receiving treatment for his eyes, which involved injections, he simply said, “Well, it takes some grit.” If that’s not a motto for life I don’t know what is. The world is an emptier place without Newt in it, they just don’t make them like that anymore. He is sorely missed by us here in Missouri. Sending our love and condolences to the rest of the family. -Julia Joyce (Lillian’s granddaughter)