Ira B. Newman's Obituary
Ira B. Newman met his Lord and Savior on April 4, 2012 at the age of 81 years old. Visitation will be on April 6, 2012 at Rader Funeral Home of Longview from 4-6. The funeral service will be at Oakland Heights Baptist Church, Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 2 PM with Reverend Kevin Bright officiating. Burial will follow in Rosewood Park.
A native of Chireno, Texas, he was born on August 24, 1930. After attending Chireno ISD, he joined the Army at the end of World War II and was stationed in Japan. After his service to his country, he enrolled in college at SFA, where he met the love of his life, Shirley Fay Bell, on a blind date at the Old Stone Fort. They married on June 10, 1950, and soon after he began work at Mid-Valley Pipeline. Known for his dedication and work ethic, Ira began his career as a pipeliner and ended his 42 year career as the manager of Mid-Valley. Joining OHBC in 1961, Ira held many positions at church, serving on the building maintenance committee, the benevolence committee, as a Sunday school teacher, and other various positions. In the Longview community, he served on the HiWay 80 Mission board, and he renovated a church into the first Hope Haven Women's Center. Ira was a family man and was known around the neighborhood as a handyman, helping out those who needed him. He was loved and well respected by his many co-workers, friends, and especially his family.
He is preceded in death by his son, Randy Newman, and his parents Fred Newman, Myrtle Newman Merchant, and step-dad, Carl Merchant, and his sister.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of almost 62 years, Shirley F. Newman, his daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Ric Johnson, and his daughter-in-law, Suzanne Newman. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Jason Newman Gena, Lauren Terrell John, and Brianna Johnson and two great-grandchildren James and Jax.
Those desiring to make memorial contributions can make them to the Oakland Heights Renovation Fund or a charity of your choice.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.
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