Hal Burford Newsom, Sr's Obituary
Hal Burford Newsom, Sr. was born May 3, 1934 to his parents Hal and Myra Newsom in Ore City, Texas and passed away Tuesday, September 3. Hal was preceded in death by both his mother and father and his sisters; Margaret Williamson and Virginia Tatum.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue Williamson Newsom, his son Hal Newsom, Jr and his wife Diane. His two daughters; Redonna Irwin and husband Fred, and Cynthia Muckleroy and husband Wayne. Grandchildren; Nathan Irwin and wife Dana, Keelan Irwin, Rachel and Alexa Newsom, Erin McLaughlin and husband Brandon, Jeff Shaver and wife Farrah, Emily Mowery and her husband Cordell. Great grandchildren; Madelyn, Savannah and Ryder Irwin, Blayne McLaughlin, Slayde and Olivia Mowery. And Hal's cousin, John Wesley Williamson who was more like a brother to him.
Hal was a 1953 graduate of Spring Hill High School where he played football and was member of the band. After high school he attended Kilgore Junior College and then went on to The University of Texas in Austin. Later he graduated from the National Crime Institute at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Hal was made and honorary Kentucky Colonel and has been honored by both the Governors of Texas and Kentucky for his work in crime prevention. He was also named the Outstanding Crime Prevention Officer in the state of Texas. He spent a good part of his life working for the Gregg County Sheriff's Department Crime Prevention Unit, and retired as an administrative Captain.
He and Sue had known each other since they were children and were high school sweethearts, having been married 59 years in August, 2013. He loved to travel and he and Sue traveled the world. He had taken many photographs of beautiful scenery which won numerous awards.
He served on the Administrative Board of his church Church of the Holy Trinity and also on the Session as an Elder.
He was lovingly known to his grandchildren and great grandchildren as Big Daddy. Those kids were the light of his life. He was a Boy Scout leader, even before having his son Hal.
He used to water ski in his younger days and did tricks behind the boat, taught his kids to put peanuts in a coke, kept many animals and coached little league. He loved to shell peas, and competed in pea shelling contests at the Fourth of July festival in Ore City. He had a tough exterior but an evident soft heart. He loved God, his church and his family. Always on the go, he had just returned from a cruise two weeks prior to being diagnosed with his illness.
He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
The Honorary pallbearers for Hal Newsom will be
Robert Newsom, Hardy Cline, Larry Lattimore, Paul Smallwood, Pat Chism, Bob Linthicum, Paul French and
Larry Carlton
Memorial donations can be made to his church, formerly known as The Church of the Holy Trinity, but is now Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 3800 Judson Road, Longview, TX 75605
There will be a visitation for Hal on Sunday, September 8 between 5 and 7 pm at Rader Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow the next day Monday, September 9 at 11am at Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Hal?
What’s a lesson you learned from Hal?
Share a story where Hal's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Hal you’ll never forget.
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