Marion H. "Sambo" Newsom

Marion H. �Sambo� Newsom GILMER � Marion H. �Sambo� Newsom was born July 26, 1924, to James Homer and Doris Hicks Newsom, in Coffeeville, Upshur County, Texas. As a young man, he married Lillie Mae Gaddis on January 28, 1942. They were married 63 years. Mr. Newsom peacefully departed this world October 31, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. Mr. Newsom was a lifelong resident of the Coffeeville community. He was a member of the Coffeeville Baptist Church. He was a hard-working, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As a youth, he began working for his grandfather, Starr Newsom, at the family- owned sawmill in Ore City. He continued working in the timber industry with his father until he began employment with Lone Star Steel in the late 1940s. Mr. Newsom worked as a service attendant during his 38 years of employment and service for LSS. �Sambo� was an avid lover of the outdoors. He had a passon for hunting, fishing on his pond and working with his cattle. His whole life he loved taking his family to Texarkana Lake to enjoy camping and fishing. He also enjoyed taking snapshots of wildlife, birds and other aspects of nature. He had a special love of hummingbirds and he prepared for them every year. �Daddy/ Paw-Paw� had a number of interests and talents. He had a particular knack creating beaded jewelry, specifically in the Native American tradition. During his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling to Arkansas and Missouri with his wife, �Lil,� sister-in-law, �Jean,� and her husband, �V.T.� Mr. Newsom was a Mason at the Ore City Lodge No. 1364. He was a member of Sharon Temple, as well as a 32nd degree Scottish Rite member. He was a member of freemasonry for over 60 years. Mr. Newsom is survived by his son and daughterin- law, Joe and Charlotte Newsom of Ore City, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Marion and Salty Aycock of Avinger, Texas; daughter, Debbie Grant of Avinger, Texas; and daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Robert Cook of Ore City, Texas. He is also survived by a very special sister-in-law, Ms. Virginia �Aunt Jean� Leard of Ore City, Texas. Paw Paw is further survived by eight grandchildren: Sammi Drew of Longview, Texas; Andy Aycock of Hughes Springs, Texas; April Aycock Grogan of Avinger, Texas; Joe Wayne Newsom Jr. of Gilmer, Texas; Staci Grant of Avinger, Texas; Robin Lee Cook of Addison, Texas; Josh Grant of Avinger, Texas; and Marion Ashley Cook of Ore City, Texas. Paw Paw is also survived by ten great-grandchildren: Parker and Peyton Drew of Longview, Texas; Jayden and Kamden Grant of Avinger, Texas; Murandi and Trinity Aycock of Pittsburg, Texas; Andrew and Asher Grogan of Avinger, Texas; and Ashlynn and Gatlin Grant of Avinger, Texas. He is survived by numerous other family members and cherished friends. Mr. Newsom was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Mae Gaddis Newsom, in 2005. He was also preceded in death by his son, Tommy Marvin Newsom, in 1997. Also preceding him in death was his beloved brother, James Preston Newsom, who died in service in World War II. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2012, at the Grubbs-Loyd Funeral Home Chapel in Gilmer. Interment will follow in Ore City Cemetery in Ore City. A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today, November 1, 2012, at the funeral home in Gilmer.