It is with great sadness that the evening of July 18, 2025, Terrance “Terry” Newton passed away peacefully at his home in Butte surrounded by his children.
Terry was born on December 21, 1935 to Wilma Youderian and Ernest Thompson in New Deal, MT. His mother then married Victor Newton and Terry was adopted by Victor and he assumed the last name of Newton.
Terry graduated from Fergus High School Lewistown, MT in 1954. He then went to college in California to study Engineering drawing. While in California Terry enlisted in the Army National Guard and served with them from March 2, 1954 to November 1, 1962 in Montana. Terry was honorably discharged from this service in 1962 as a Tank Commander.
Terry married Oerla Dennis on August 21, 1955 and they had two children Terri Lynn and Daniel. Terry and Derla were together 66 years when Oerla passed in 2021.
Terry was employed with the Montana Power company for 30 years and retired in 1988. Terry was a draftsman for the company and a gas line inspector. he spent many days on the highline of Montana inspecting the gas lines.
Terry and his wife loved to travel and went on several cruises. They then bought a motor home and travel the entire United States. They also would do traveling with the Good Sam Club. They were snowbirds and spent the Montana winters in El Mirage, Arizona and then bought a home down there and sold the motor home. They would come home during the Montana summers to take care of things here until his wife became ill and she wanted to come home to Montana to stay.
Terry learned how to do wood carving while down tn Arizonia and did some amazing wood carvings. When they would return home in the Montana summer months he would volunteer his time with the Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel and carved several of the horses on the carousel.
Terry was an avid bowler here in Butte. He was the league secretary for the Continental League for many years, the Butte Association Secretary for several years and he was a member of the Coor’s Traveling league. Terry was also an avid softball player and played Old Ozzie softball with the Speedway Tavern.
Terry also was a member of the Bagdad Shrine from November 1986 to November 2002. For several years you would see Terry riding in the little cars in the 4th of July parade.
Terry also was an avid walker and would walk from his home on the flats to uptown Butte for coffee and then return home via Harrison Ave and he always had a bag in his had as he would pick up cans until his health would no longer let him do that.
Terry is survived by his children Terri Kipp, & Daniel Newton, his grandchildren Chris (Kayla) Medina, Shaun Medina of Butte and Kayla Medina (Andrae Thompson) and his great grandchildren Paisley and Sophia Thompson of Texas, his brother-in-law Oalvin (Lorraine) Dennis and their children Paula Harman and Chris Dennis, nieces LeAne Wiltse, Denita James of Washington and nephew Kirk Wiltse of Idaho.
He is preceded in death by his parents and step father, his wife Oerla, his in-laws Esther and Bill Earle, his sister Norma Blias Wiltse, brother-in-law dint Wiltse, son-in-law Dan Kipp and Albert Medina and many relatives and friends.
Terry’s infectious smile and kindness will be missed by all who knew him.
I would like to thank the staff of Compassus and Honeybee Hospice for their care and comfort of Terry during this time.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care Terry and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Terry.
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jamie seymour says
So sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. He and Derla are having a walk together, like in the days you would see Terry walking picking up cans! Great people!
Darlene Allen says
I am sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. He was such a great guy and always fun to work with and bowl with. He always had a smile and a caring word. He will be missed.
Cheryl Wegley says
He is with Derla again! So sad though. Such a nice man.
Colleen says
So sorry for the loss of your dad Terri. Remember we are here for you.
Dalvin and Lorraine Dennis says
Derla was my sister so we were close. We live in Pa. took a very fun trip together in our motor homes. We will forever be grateful for them.
Dalvin and Lorraine Dennis says
We loved them both very much
Dalvin and Lorraine Dennis says
We hated to see Terry go but he is with Derla now. We love what you did with the obit Terri Lynn
Rosemary says
Such a fun and nice gentleman. Really liked working with him at the Power. Prayers for his family.
Paula Harman Paula Harman says
Uncle Terry will be missed as Aunt Derla was. Both are now in a better place. Condolences to Teri Lynn, Danny and the family.
Joy Gummer Gambreal says
Terri and Danny, I am so sorry to hear your Dad passed. Now he and the love of his life are together again. Heck, now are parents are neighbors again. 🙂
I love you both. Remember to take care of yoursel0ves and one another during this difficult time
Delores says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there’s anything you need.
Gene Radermacher says
Terry Newton became a good friend while he and I spent time in our respective homes in PEM, Arizona. Montana Power, his employer, was a client of mine and though I never met Terry while in that service, we talked at length about some of the projects we were both involved in during that tenure. He was alswys a kind gentlemen
Skip Deedon says
Such a loss. I’m so saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. We walked together every morning for years where we spent our winters in Arizona. We were both woodworkers at PEM and spent most of our days at the Woodshop. After our day in the Woodshop you would find Terry and Derla, my wife Teresa and I at one of the local eateries having dinner.
After dinner we would be in one of the game rooms playing Pegs and Jokers.
Many nights would find us at their home or ours playing Phase 10.
We miss Terry and Derla, but will forever cherish all the great memories we have.