Blake Newton

Blake Newton was born in Midland, Texas on October 10, 1986. From there, he moved to the Woodlands, Texas and lived there until he graduated from The Woodlands High School in 2005.

He then entered the United States Army as an enlisted man and entered Iraq as an infantryman in January of 2006. After only one short leave of absence, he returned to Iraq and didn't return until March of 2007. During his time in Iraq, he served in extremely hostile areas such as Ramadi and Fallujah. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany for several months. During this time, he played for a semi-professional football team, the Frankfurt Pirates, where he seriously injured his foot and had to undergo several surgeries to repair it.

Blake returned was sent back to the United States to Fort Lewis in Seattle, Washington. It was here that Blake entered into a Sniper Recon Unit, and successfully completed the special training. Immediately after completing this unbelievably difficult school, he went to jump school and successfully completed that as well, despite his nagging foot injury.

In Seattle, Blake met a beautiful young woman named Jennifer Elrod and the two instantly had a special connection. After months of dating, they got married. Blake was honorably discharged from the Army. From Seattle, the couple decided to move to Texas and settle in a house near The Woodlands.

What can you say about Blake Newton? This guy was truly incredible. If there was only one thing to know about Blake, it’s that he had a heart the size of Texas. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone as selfless and considerate of others as Blake. Blake ALWAYS put others before he put himself.

I remember when I would talk to him when he had a bit of spare time while he was fighting in Iraq, he would give me a 30 second brief on how he was doing and immediately started wanting to know how school was, and how my others friends were doing, and if I was dating any new girls…

I would hang up with him and think “This guy is more worried about how I’m doing in College Station than he is in freakin’ Iraq”. That’s the kind of person Blake was.

Blake also cared about his family. He had a wonderful mother and father, his step mother Marlow is also an exceptional person, and had a special bond with his sister Jennifer Martin, married to Adam Martin who also is a great guy. Blake would do anything for his family.

Admittedly young people like us are not always the best at spending money, but Blake would come home from Iraq and buy his family and friends presents that would leave them speechless. Blake would give the shirt off his back for the people he cared about- which he cared about most everyone.

Another interesting thing about Blake was a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has been since he was extremely young and he showed a lot of skill and promise in martial arts. I recall one time way back in the day when he told me that he could kick a coke can off the top of my head. I was thinking “Dude there’s no way he can do that because I’m taller than he is.” Somehow he talked me into it, and sure enough he kicked it right off the top of my head- pretty impressive (and I bet Sam could still do the same thing!) Blake had all kinds of talents like that.

Not only do I know that Blake loved his friends and family, but he truly loved his wife Jennifer. I remember one day before they got married when Blake was on leave from Fort Lewis, he came down and went hunting hogs for a weekend with me and some other buddies. We went out to the deer lease, and Blake wanted to go back into town every couple of hours just to make sure that he didn’t miss a call from Jennifer! He talked to me extensively about her, and after a couple months of them dating he knew that he wanted to marry her. She was a blessing to his life that he cherished greatly.

In short, Blake Newton was as good a soldier, friend and human being as anyone could ask for. His friends and family will always hold a special place in their hearts just for him. Blake will never be forgotten and will always be loved.