James Newman Sr. passed away on June 8, 2022 surrounded by his loving family, after a short battle with Alzheimer’s.

Visitation: 6-8pm, Saturday, June 11 at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel.

Mr. Newman was born July 29, 1935 in Whiteville, North Carolina to George Washington and Lila Newman. He was veteran of the United States Air Force. James joined the US Air Force on September 2, 1952 at the age of 17, during the Korean War. He traveled the world and met many people along the way. He traveled to the Philippines, Turkey and anywhere else the Airforce sent him. He guarded Air Force One while Johnson was president and would come into Texas to Randolph Air Force Base. While guarding Air Force One, he was fortunate enough to also get to fly on it. Later, While stationed in Waco, in 1962 at Connally AFB, he met the love of his life Mary Ann Ridings, and they were married on June 14,1962. They owned and operated the Dairy Queen that was previously on Speight St in Waco for a few years. while stationed in England in 1963, he met and shook the hand of Queen Elizabeth II.

In December of 1963, James was given orders to Bitburg, Germany where they would live for three years, where three of their children were born. He retired from the Air Force while at Whiteman AFB in Missouri on June 2, 1973 at which time he moved his family back to Waco. He was a security guard at several places during his retirement including, Woolco, the women’s prison in Gatesville and the Veteran’s Administration in Waco. In 1977, he moved his family to China Spring where he would remain until his death. He went to every China Spring Cougar football game including the year they won state in 1980. After his retirement, he worked side jobs putting in septic tanks or just hauling gravel. He was a man of great honor and dignity and lived life to the fullest. He loved all his children and grandchildren and loved to spend time with them taking them on vacations or just a drive to town. James had a pond in which he kept many fish and fed them everyday as though they were his pets.

He is proceeded in death by his parents George and Lila Newman; his mother and father in law, Henry and Mildred Ridings; 2 brothers George and Charlie Newman, 3 sisters Susie, Annie Bell
Newman and Hazel Jordan; his son in law Glen Black, and 1 infant Grand daughter April Asyn.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory the love of his life of 60 yrs, Mary Ann Newman of
China Spring, daughters Wanda Black of China Spring, Lynn Asyn (Tim) of Waco, Lisa Loftin (Jerry) of China Spring, Heather Koppelman (Kris) of Tennessee, and 1 son, James Newman Jr.
(Jayme) of Houston. A brother Warren Newman; Sister Lou Ellen Ivey of Lumberton NC. Brother-n-laws, William (Patsy) and David (Helen) Ridings.

He is survived by 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren on the way, many nieces and nephews.

The family would sincerely like to thank his grandson and granddaughter Michael Reynolds and
Kristin (his nurse Kristin as he would say) Reynolds and great grandchildren Brandon, Mason, Jen and Ethan for all their help and loving care during his time with Alzheimer’s. They were there whenever needed. It is greatly appreciated. He especially loved his nurse, Kristin. Honor Guards will be his 2 grandsons that followed his path in to the Air Force, Robert Black and Richard Reynolds.

Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708

Condolences for the family of “James Newman, Sr.”

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