[3] Newton was born in Ridgeland, South Carolina, where he graduated from Jasper High School.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, where he was commissioned as a distinguished graduate through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1966.

Newton was selected to join the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, in November 1974.

In 2000 Newton joined Pratt & Whitney as the Vice President of Business Development (Military Engines), a position that he held until 2006.

[4] This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force