Dr. Newell E. Warr, DDS
Newell Edwin Warr, 90, died Monday, February 12, 2018, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Newell was born April 10, 1927, in Beaver, Utah, to Morrell Justinian and Phylis Swindlehurst Warr, the oldest of three children.
He graduated from Beaver High School in 1945. He served as a student body officer and was active in sports, choral groups, band and orchestra. Newell played the trombone and was given the nickname of "Tommy D," when at the age of 15 he was hired on by a popular local dance band. As a boy growing up in a small farming community, he had numerous jobs: milking cows by hand, hauling hay, and raising rabbits and wild pheasants. At age 15, he corralled and trained his first wild mustang. One of Newell's favorite jobs of his youth was when he spent three summers working for Utah and Arizona Parks, driving tour busses in Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Grand Canyon and Zion's National Park. He spent much of his free time hunting, fishing and racing horses.
In February of 1945, during his senior year at the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and subsequently received an honorable discharge in September 1946. He served a 2 Ω year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England from January 1947 to July 1949.
Newell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Utah State University in 1953. In 1957, he graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery.
On June 29, 1957, Newell married Mary Edna Bennion (1929-1990) of Spokane, Wash., in the LDS Salt Lake Temple. They have four sons. He married Charlene Elizabeth Aley of Warren, Ohio, (1942-1994) on March 23, 1991, in the Salt Lake Temple, and Jean Cummings of Salt Lake City (1920-2010) on July 15, 1996.
He spent 48 years as a general dentist in private practice in Salt Lake City. In 1996, Newell, along with his son, Keith, established Warr Dental, P.C. They practiced together for nine years, until Newell retired in 2005. His passion for dentistry extended into the lives of his patients. He considered them an extended family.
His leadership roles in dentistry reflected his personal motto of "Service Before Self." He was an organizing member of the Salt Lake Dental Seminar, a study group. He was one of the founders of the Salt Lake Donated Dental Services Clinic for the homeless, providing underserved populations with quality dental care. Dr. Warr served on the Clinic's Board for four years and was a member of their dental team for more than 30 years. He served as president of both the Salt Lake District Dental Association and the Utah Dental Association, was a Utah delegate to the American Dental Association for five years, chairman of the Utah Dental Political Action Committee for four years, and a member of the national American Dental Association (ADA) Political Action Committee for six years. He served on the national ADA executive committee for three years. In 1988, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Utah Dental Association. He was instrumental in founding a program for first-year dental students at the University of Utah and was appointed as an auxiliary faculty member to that program.
Dr. Warr was honored to serve in several assignments for the International College of Dentists, which is the world\s oldest and largest honor society for dentists who work to improve the profession through sharing and disseminating advances in dental knowledge and who seek to benefit their communities through voluntary service. He was their Deputy Regent in the 14th District for seven years and received the ICD Distinguished Deputy Regent award. He subsequently served as Vice Regent and Section Regent of the 14th District. In 2005, he received the Pierre Fauchard Academy's award for Outstanding Contribution to the Art and Science of Dentistry. He concluded his dentistry leadership by serving as the USA Section President for the International College of Dentists from 2007-2008, after being on its USA Executive Board for four years.
Newell was active in local and state politics, including political fundraising and as a District Chairman and a delegate to county and state conventions. He was a strong supporter of scouting, having received the rank of Eagle and served on the Central Staff at the sixth World Boy Scout "Jamboree of Peace" in Moisson, France, in 1947. In addition, he served for numerous years as a Scout Master and Troop Committeeman. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Salt Lake and the American Legion.
Newell remained strong and faithful in the LDS church throughout his life. He served in many leadership positions, including Young Mens, bishoprics, and as a Stake High Councilor. He was on the Church Missionary Committee for many years, with the responsibility to review dental records of missionary applicants. At one point, he served, somewhat unofficially, as the Relief Society President of a small branch in Washington, when he was needed. He enjoyed serving weekly in the Salt Lake Temple up until a few months ago. He loved the dear friendships he developed with his fellow temple workers. He jokingly started the "Fine Club" among the workers there, where he instructed members to simply state they were "fine" when asked how they were doing, instead of listing off their current problems and ailments. Newell had a dry sense of humor and a positive outlook, always.
Newell enjoyed family activities, theater, the Utah Symphony, traveling, boating, camping, fishing, golf and attending athletic events, such as basketball, football and track and field. He continued to have a connection to his hometown of Beaver, Utah, where he enjoyed raising registered Black Angus bulls and replacement heifers. He supported his grandchildren's activities and attended them as often as he could. He said his greatest success and happiness was his family. He truly found joy in his posterity.
Newell is survived by his sister, Mary Mecham, Salt Lake City; his brother, Joseph B. Warr, Casper, Wyom.; his four sons, David Bennion, Gallup, N.M.; Craig Morrell (Tamara), Riverton, Utah; Richard Edwin (Laurel), Cottonwood Heights, Utah; Keith Newell (Nancy), Salt Lake City; 14 grand children; and, three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, wives and grand daughter, Katelyn JoAnne Warr.
Funeral services will take place Friday, February 16, 2018, at noon in the Parleys Sixth Ward Chapel, 2350 S. 2100 East, Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing Thursday, February 15, 2018, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 Highland Dr., Salt Lake City. The family is grateful for the generous services provided by Cascade at Riverwalk; the assistance provided by his daughter-in-law, Tamara Warr, RN; and, for the tender care Newell received at Legacy Hospice and for nurse Colleen Jenkins.
