James Newton Whitfield, Lockheed Retiree & Beef Cattle Farmer, Dies

The following obituary was submitted by Darby Funeral Home:

James Newton Whitfield, 79, of Ball Ground, died on Jan. 17, 2014, after battling cancer.

Newt was a lifelong Cherokee County resident, a beloved husband, father, uncle and friend, and a well respected member of the Macedonia community.

He spent his career at Lockheed, retiring from the experimental division after 36 years. He was also a beef cattle farmer for over 30 years. Newt lived in the Ball Ground and Macedonia communities his entire life and had great love for the area.  He spent his life working the farm, helping friends in the community, and raising a family who deeply loved and respected him.

Newt is survived by his wife Brenda Adams Whitfield, two sons Danny Whitfield and his wife Denice, Tim Whitfield and his wife Jennifer and one daughter, Misti Whitfield Martin and her husband Jud, all of Ball Ground.

Other survivors include granddaughters Courtney Whitfield Robertson and her husband Todd, and Chasity Lacy; grandsons Wade Whitfield, Whit Martin, Wilder Martin and Wyatt Martin,and Joshua Pitner; and great-grandsons Carter Robertson, Holden Robertson and Brycin Lacy-Neese; Sister-in-laws, Dot Whitfield and Jo Bruce Medlin, brother-in-law Bud Bruce and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Newt was preceded in death by his first wife, Beulah Bruce Whitfield and son Gregory Whitfield.

Funeral services were held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Darby Funeral Home with Rev. Horace Richards officiating. Burial will follow at the Macedonia Church Cemetery.

Visitation was held at Darby Funeral Home in Canton on Saturday and Sunday.

Flowers are welcome. For those wishing to make a donation instead of flowers, they may be made to the Cure it for Kids Charity in memory of Newt Whitfield, P.O. Box 554, Ball Ground, GA 30107.