Obituary: Harry "Butch" Logan Newby III

Harry “Butch” Logan Newby III, 79, of Bella Vista, Arkansas, passed away Jan. 16, 2020, in Bella Vista.

Butch was born March 11, 1940 in Cloquet, Minnesota to Harry L. Jr. and Hazel Newby. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Minnesota. Butch was captain of the University’s golf team, which he considered one of his most gratifying golf accomplishments.

After graduating from law school, he returned to Cloquet where he was a successful private practice attorney for more than 39 years, giving back to the community by spending half his time as a public defender representing the impoverished in the courts of northern Minnesota. In addition to his law practice, he served as Cloquet’s City Attorney for 25 years and as Cloquet school board attorney.

There is no denying Butch’s talent for the game of golf, as he won nearly all the amateur golf tournaments in northeastern Minnesota and qualified for four U.S. Amateur Golf tournaments. Nor is there any denying his love for the game, which he played only on days ending in “y.”

In 2003, Butch and his wife, Jill, moved to Bella Vista. They joined the Bella Vista Community Church and he became a member of the choir. He was also active in the Bella Vista Property Owners Association and served on the POA golf committee.

Butch was a kind and giving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jay Newby.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jill; daughter, Kathryn Newby of Albertville, Minnesota; sons Logan Newby of Bella Vista and Joel (Patti) Newby of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. He also leaves three grandchildren, Aaron (Tessa) Newby, Dan Ekeroth and Kelly Ekeroth, and two great-grandchildren, Piper Newby and Zoey Newby.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at Bella Vista Community Church, 75 E. Lancashire Boulevard, Bella Vista, Arkansas 72714.

The family will also be holding a Celebration of Life on Thursday July 9 in Cloquet.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Bella Vista Community Church Choir, 75 E. Lancashire Blvd, Bella Vista AR 72714 or Cloquet Educational Foundation, 302 14th St., Cloquet MN 55720.

Arrangements are being handled by Bella Vista Funeral Home. To leave online condolences, please visit http://www.funeralmation.com/obituary/harry-newby-iii.