James Thomas Newton Jr.

This isn’t your average obituary because this isn’t for your average man.

Just the other day I looked at my father and it was the first time I saw that he’d grown old.   James Thomas Newton Jr. born December 31st, 1946 in Midland Texas.

As a young man James loved to be mischievous and told many stories about running the streets of Lamesa and getting into trouble, and fighting the neighborhood kids in the front yard.

As time passed James began to play sports, baseball and football for the Lamesa Golden Tornadoes, where he was a valued player and missed his senior year to become a machinist.

After high school some say James became a mountain of a man, many say they wouldn’t touch him with a 10 foot stick. Many were afraid if he grabbed hold of you it was all over. Well all of this was true. He stood 6’01”, 250 pounds and had the hand strength of a gorilla. But when he did grab hold it was always in a playful loving way.

Despite his grumpy appearance he was full of love, and joy. He certainly was the lady’s man, all the waitresses at all his favorite eateries absolutely loved him. If he missed a week, they frantically called looking for him.

James made friends everywhere he went or knew someone everywhere he went. He did not appear to be a personable person but for some reason people gravitated to him.

The Canyons through his skin and the rivers that carved them, carve the stories we were told. Now if you spent any time with James I know you’ve heard a story or two about one of his adventures in his life. Much like the time he was moving irrigation pipe in the cotton fields and ol’ Mike McKibben shoved the pipe into place pinching the end of his right middle finger. He swears ol’ Mike did it on purpose and thought it was the funniest thing. He loved to tell stories to his family and friends.

James was the type man that would give the shirt off his back, his last penny, and drop everything he was doing to help those he loved. He was a selfless man who inspired many to strive to be like him. He loved and believed in God and was a born again Christian. He was an avid golfer, loved to hunt, spend time with his family, children and grandchildren.

Final thought

James Thomas Newton Jr.

Was a son, brother, uncle, cousin, husband, father, grandfather. All of these things he did to the fullest until the end.

He was a mentor, a friend, inspiration, and a hero to some.

To his family and friends he is and always will be James, Jimmy, Jim, Mr. Newton, Dad, Pop, and Papa. He will always be with us because he has become a part of us. He impacted so many lives in his short time here that he will always be remembered and never forgotten. He left a little part of him in each of us.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Midland. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Homes & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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