Obituary of T. Walton Lewthwaite

T. Walton Lewthwaite AGE: 93 • Wharton TWL was born on June 16, 1920 in Negaunee, Michigan where his Dad emigrated to the U.S from Wales to work the iron mines. Walt moved to Dover at a very young age and ultimately settled in Wharton for 55 years. The last years of Walt's life he resided with his son Paul and, daughter-in-law Barbara at Paragon Village and most recently, Regency Grand Nursing Home in Dover. Walt served in World War II from 1942-1946 as an Army Combat Engineer in the Pacific Theatre. His company built landing fields on the island of le Shima shortly after the invasion of Iwo Jima. Upon being discharged in 1946, he rode a train cross country from Spokane, Washington to Ft. Dix, NJ. Upon arriving at Ft. Dix, he was told it would be 7 to 10 days until they were discharged. Walt would often tell the story that he told the duty officer back then. He had not been home in over three years, lived only 60 miles away and to send me the discharge papers because, "I'm going home." He would say, "the war was over. What were they going to do, court martial me?" Walt served on the Wharton Borough council for a number of years in the late 1950's and early 1960's and served as Police Commissioner/ Public Safety Commissioner in 1960. He also coached Little League and was the assistant coach to Ed Tierney when Wharton won the district championship in 1961. Walt worked for J.H. Jackson Lumber Company for over 20 years as General Manager of the Wharton lumber yard, and later the Denville lumber yard. He later owned Collict's Furniture in Wharton for a number of years before retiring in 1976. Walt's passion in life was golf. He was a long time member of Mendham Golf & Tennis Club and cherished the club, his many friends, and the laid-back atmosphere. He served on numerous committees over the years. Walt still holds the Senior Club Championship record, winning the Senior Championship ten times, the last in 1988 at 68 years old. Walt won the title ten out of twelve years from 1976 to 1988. Walt shot his age over twenty five times, the last time at 87 years of age. Walt leaves one brother Edward of Wharton, and one sister Barbara Newman, of Dover. Five sisters have passed; Gwen, Doreen, Mary, Nellie, and Edna. Walt was predeceased by his wife, Mary of over 50 years in 2000. Walt leaves a son Paul and his wife Barbara, of Long Valley; a granddaughter Katelyn, of Glen Gardner; and a grandson Kyle, of McLean, Virgina. In lieu of flower donations should be made to the church where he worshiped for almost his entire life Teabo United Methodist Church 47 Teabo Road, Wharton, NJ 07885. A wake will be held at Tuttle Funeral Home in Randolph, NJ on Wednesday Jan 9, 2013 from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral services will be held at the Teabo United Methodist Church on Thursday at 11am. (973-625-9448) www.tuttlefh.com