Bobby Ray Newsom

Bobby Ray Newsom, faithful father, husband, grandfather, and friend, 79, of Midland passed away on Tuesday October 25, 2016 at home after several months of illness. Bob was born December 22, 1936 in Brownfield, Texas to Robert Lee and Evelyn Patterson Newsom.  The family moved to Big Spring when Bob was 5, and the Newsom clan grew to 9 siblings. Bob first began a lifelong love of the beautiful wild country in southern Val Verde County when he would camp and fish along the banks of the alluring aquamarine waters of the Devil’s River, later to be covered by the waters of Lake Amistad.  In high school, Bob was active in numerous sports but excelled in football.  He was a part of the ’53 state runner-up team and later played center, snapping the ball to a future NFL Quarterback, Charlie Johnson.  On July 26^th, 1957, Bob married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Donna Michael Shirley. Life was full and good during the coming years, working for Southwestern Bell, (22 years in Big Spring and 12 in Midland) while he and Donna raised three children.  Bob became an active follower of Jesus Christ as a young adult, experiencing the transformed life as a “new creation”.  His new found faith led to roles through the years as Deacon, Elder and very naturally as a leader of men and men’s groups to fish at “the Nest” at Lake Amistad.  Bob served not only His Lord but also his country while in the National Guard and was called to active duty to Fort Polk during the Berlin Crisis in 1960 and 61.  Bob dearly loved his grandchildren. They all have memories of him attending their sporting events, graduations and weddings, but he was also actively involved in their lives through the many fishing adventures, spring break trips, holiday celebrations, games of dominos and conversations over coffee.Bob is survived by his wife Donna of 59 years; 3 children, Michael of San Angelo, Robin Newsom Wilson and husband Tom of Midland, and David Newsom of Midland; 5 grandchildren, Dustin Scott and wife Tabitha of Andrews, Leah Wilson Williams and husband Taylor of Midland, Jordan Wilson of Athens, Georgia, Kirklynd Newsom and Brady Newsom of Midland; adopted grandson, Gervack Washington of Kentucky; 1 great grandchild, Kolton Scott of Andrews; 3 sisters, Nancy Newsom Phernetton and husband Gus of Big Spring, Pennie Newsom Lemire and husband Clay of Sacramento, and Marilyn Newsom Grigg and husband Walter of Houston; and 2 brothers, Donald Newsom and wife Kay of Amarillo, Tommy Newsom and wife Sherry of Big Spring, and numerous nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jim Newsom, Kenneth Newsom, sister, Juanita Newsom Adams, and lifelong friend and brother-in-law R.V Cobb.Sacrificial, kind, forgiving, patient, listener, dry sense of humor all describe this “gentle giant” of a man we knew as Dad, Grandpa, and Bob. We are all richer for having known him, and we rejoice for his graduation to his heavenly home.The family would like to express our gratitude to all of the many caregivers who attended to Bob. Special thanks to Dr. Mike Miller and Dr. Paul Best.A viewing is scheduled 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday, October 31, 2016 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. A Celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland, officiated by the Rev. Larry Long, Rev. Vergil Schmidt, Rev. Roy Smith and Rev. Wade Cobb.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday at Trinity Memorial Park, Big Spring. Pallbearers include Dr. Tom Green, Lee Thompson, Jordan Wilson, Gervack Washington, Dustin Scott, Brady Newsom, Taylor Williams, and Tom Wilson.The family asks that memorials be made to Fellowship Community Church or the charity of your choice.  ,