Joe Wayne Newsom, Sr.

Joe Wayne Newsom, Sr. “Big Joe” was born September 2, 1942 in Gilmer, Texas to Lille Mae Gaddis Newsom and Marion Hicks “Sambo” Newsom, the oldest of five children. With peace and dignity, he passed away and met his God and Savior on January 23, 2019 at 6:12 a.m. in Longview, Texas, with his son, Joe Jr. “Little Joe”, by his side holding his hand, along with his sisters and dear family friend Shannon Miller.
From childhood on into life, Joe had a passion for the outdoors, nature, and loved the land. He was an avid cattleman and enjoyed raising beef cattle. Over the years, he enjoyed having goats, chickens, guineas, and other animals. He loved dogs, having raised registered blood hounds for many years, some of which were utilized by numerous tracking agencies. A 1960 graduate of Gilmer High School, he was a proud member and active participant in the Future Farmers of America.
Joe was also quite the athlete as a young man. From youth, Joe excelled in baseball and was an outstanding pitcher. It is said that he could burn the glove of any catcher brave enough to be behind home base. Joe was quarterback for Gilmer High School, and also pitcher for Gilmer High School.
A native and lifelong resident of Upshur County and the Coffeeville community outside Ore City, Joe was one of the young men drafted by the United States government to serve in Vietnam in early 1964. Joe was inducted into the United States Army, Battery D, 8th Battalion, 6th Artillery, otherwise the First Infantry Division, on July 23, 1964. He would proudly and bravely serve his country, representing his family and all of his friends and their families, until June 22, 1966, when he was honorably discharged. Joe was a decorated Vietnam Veteran, receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, an Expert Medal for Rifle M-14, an Army Commendation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, along with a Medal of Heroism. On June 8, 1966, issued by the Headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division, General Order Number 893, Mr. Newsom received an Honorable Discharge citing the reason for discharge as heroism. The Order recited that on June 8th, 1964 “at approximately 2215 hours, Specialist Newsom’s battery came under a Viet Cong mortar attack. Without hesitation, Specialist Newsom left the safety of his own position to notify the battery medical aidman that one of the cooks had been wounded. Realizing the shortage of medical personnel, Specialist Newsom volunteered to assist the battery medical aidman. With complete disregard for his personal safety and exposing himself to incoming mortar and small arms fire, Specialist Newsom formed part of a litter team which picked up casualties on the battlefield and carried them to the 5th Artillery Battalion aid station on three different occasions. As a result of Specialist Newsom’s actions, the wounded were immediately and safely rescued from the area under fire and brought to the 5th Artillery Battalion aid station for rapid evacuation to rear medical facilities. Specialist Four Newsom’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.”
After Joe’s service in the United States Army, he worked for a short period of time for Upshur Rural Electric Company before beginning his lifelong work at Lone Star Steel Company, later acquired by United States Steel Company in Lone Star Texas. Joe would hire on at Lone Star Steel on September 12, 1967, and retire August 31, 2012, some 45 years later, employed as an electrician. In those years, Joe was a proud and active member of the United Steelworkers Union, Local 4134, Lone Star, Texas. He was a member of the contract committees for the June 1, 2001 agreement and the July 18, 2005 agreement entered between U. S. Steel and the union employees. Joe was also on grievance committees in the Union. Joe fought tenaciously to represent the employees of Lone Star Steel and U.S. Steel, fighting to better the wages of the employees, and to have the best medical insurance available for not only the existing employees, but also for retirees.
It would be that during Joe’s years at Lone Star Steel, he would meet the love of his life, Charlotte Ann Nix, at a work related picnic while at Lone Star. Charlotte, an executive secretary, and he, an electrician, would marry on January 17, 1976 at the Jenkins Methodist Church in Jenkins, Texas. Of that marriage was born their only son, Joe Wayne Newsom, Jr., on September 12, 1979. The love between the two would endure some 43 years, through the good times and the bad.
Joe was a champion of education. Over the years, he would encourage countless work friends and others to pursue an education to better themselves and advance their employment. He served for 13 years as a board member for Ore City Independent School District, a one year term in 1980 and then terms for 1990-1993, 1993-1996, 1996-1999, and 1999-2001. Joe was actively involved in the master plan for the Ore City campus during those years, including the building of a new high school. He served as Board Secretary during one term of his service to Ore City ISD.
Mr. Newsom was a 32nd degree member of the Ore City Masonic Lodge, No. 1364, for 45 years, a Scottish Rite, and was a Shriner.
Throughout his life and in to retirement, Joe continued to enjoy his farm, his land, brush-hogging, hunting, fishing, and continued to care for his cows up until a few years ago. He went on to operate a small antique and resale shop in Gilmer that he dubbed Medlin Creek Mercantile, named for the creek flowing through his property given him by his grandfather. He loved “nick-nacks”, items of the past, Gilmer historic memorabilia, jewelry, and the odds and ends he would find and would place in his store. Joe never met a stranger, and over the last few years enjoyed meeting people that would come in the store over the years. He along with his wife enjoyed going to the store every day during the week. He truly loved his little “treasures,” and the store would be a great source of joy for him over the years.
Mr. Newsom is preceded in death by his Father, Marion Hicks “Sambo” Newsom and Mother, Lille Mae Gaddis Newsom, both of Coffeeville/Ore City. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer “Paw Homer” Newsom and Doris “Granny Doris” Newsom, and Buck “Paw Buck” and Blanche “Granny Buck” Gaddis. He is preceded in death by his father-in-law James William “J.W.” Nix of Daingerfield. He is further preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Newsom.
Mr. Newsom is survived by his loving wife, his “Sweetheart,” Charlotte Ann Nix Newsom, of Ore City. He is further survived by his son, his “Buddy,” Joe Wayne Newsom, Jr. of Gilmer. He is survived by his mother-in-law, Pat “Nana” Nix of Daingerfield. He is survived by his aunt, Virginia “Aunt Jean” Gaddis Leard, of Ore City. Also surviving Mr. Newsom are his sister, Marion “Shine” Newsom Aycock, and her husband Lee “Salty” Aycock of Avinger; his sister, Debbie Lou Newsom Grant of Avinger; and his sister Patricia Ann Newsom Cook, and her husband Robert Cook of Coffeville/Ore City. Mr. Newsom is also survived by his sister-in-law, Lynette Nix Sharp and her husband, Richard “Ricky” Sharp of Hallsville. A host of nieces and nephews survive, including Andy Aycock, April Aycock Grogan, Sammi Grant Drew, Staci Lou Grant, Josh Grant, Robin Lee Cook Pierce, Marion Ashley Cook McLendon, Jarrod Sharp, and Kaitlyn Sharp, and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews.
What I can say about my Daddy, is that he is one of the strongest and hard working men I will ever know. He worked so hard, coming home dirt covered, grease covered, trying to make a dollar. He encouraged me and helped mold me in the man I became today. He did all he could to support me and my mother. He wanted me to succeed, and do the best I can, and he was always there to help me in my endeavors and pursuits along life’s way. He was behind me one-hundred percent, and so proud of me going on to Baylor University and Baylor School of Law, an opportunity he never had. He was my best support and my worst critic, yet through it all the essence of it was Love. Even in this time of grief and pain, I hear his voice, and I resolve myself in the comfort that he will continue to be with me and my mother until our own end. Daddy never met a stranger, had a unique kindness about him, yet you would have to prepared to listen to his opinions and perspectives. He, in his own way, was a champion of people. He was generous, a champion for the under-dog, stubborn, strong-willed, even “hard headed.” Yet, his passion and selflessness will never be forgotten. As it is written, 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love is appearing.” These words echo true for my Daddy.
Services for Mr. Newsom are being handled by Croley Funeral Home of Gilmer. A receiving of friends and family will be at Croley Funeral Home, 305 West Harrison Street, Gilmer, Texas 75644 on Friday, January 25th, 2019. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 26th, 2019, at 11:00 o’clock A.M. at the Ore City United Methodist Church, located at the intersection of S Cypress Street and Althea St., Ore City, Texas. 75683, which is just of FM 450/Main Street, Ore City, Texas as you were to go toward Harleton. Upshur County Judge Todd Tefteller and Gaston “Bubba” DeBerry will preside over the services. Justice of the Peace Lyle Potter will preside over the Masonic component of the services. Burial will be held at Coffeeville Cemetery, located just off State Highway 155 North. Pallbearers will include, Joe Wayne Newsom, Jr., Robert Cook, Richard “Ricky” Sharp, Keith Russell, Frank Green, Trey Green, Brent Maddox, Doug Jacobs, and Wick Shankle. Nieces and nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Attn: Development Department, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas 75219, or online at http://scottishritehospital.org/. Please include “in memory of Joe Wayne Newsom, Sr.” both on the website or by check.
Finally, the family would like to thank the countless nurses and staff of Longview Regional Hospital and Heart to Heart Hospice, during these last couple weeks, including Dr. Anita Scribner, and special nurses Abby, Wendy, Kara, Chris, LaKeishia, Jimanique, Ginger, and Jennifer Payne among so many more. The family also thanks the countless other friends and family that have reached out to show support during these difficult times. The kindness and love, compassion, and gentle hands will forever be in our hearts.