Henry Gary Newman

Henry Gary Newman was born November 25, 1932, in Columbus, Georgia. He joined the Air Force at 19 and was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada where he met his wife, Mary Greta Mclsaac. Their first child, Sandra Ann (Boos) was born in Newfoundland in 1955. In 1956 they moved to Columbus, Georgia, and had their second child Henry Gary Newman Jr. (Butch). In 1957 Gary moved his family to Lubbock, Texas to join his bandmates that he played within the Air Force. They played a unique style of country music dubbed Western Swing by the state of Texas. Gary played bass, piano and sang in the band. His band, Don Allen and the Sunset Ramblers, were inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame. In 1963 Gary and Greta had their third child, Tony. In 1967 they moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Gary joined multiple fastpitch softball teams throughout the 70's and 80's where he was a catcher and first baseman. The team traveled all over the state for 15+ years winning several championships. They once defeated the Fast Pitch Softball World Champion Clearwater Bombers 1-0 on Gary's solo home run and brother Ray's pitching. Gary coached his son Tony in multiple sports including Gray Y Football, Basketball, Track and Field, and of course baseball. He coached his daughter Sandy's softball teams as well. Gary was a tremendous family man and attended all of his families' multiple celebrations throughout the years. Grandkids and great-grandkids ball games were his pastime. A devoted husband to wife Greta for 66 years.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Bobbie Cumbie (Ronald), his father Henry, his mother Mary. He is survived by his siblings, Cecelia, Ray (Faye), and Joe (Mary); his 3 children, Sandy (David), Gary Jr., Tony (Betsy); grandchildren, Chrissy (Jason), Jaime (Anthony), Michael, Carly, and Connor; great-grandchildren, Annabella, David, and Addison.
Finally, Gary was a HUGE fan of Alabama Football... ROLL TIDE! Gary will truly be missed, especially at the ballpark.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 8, 2021 at 11 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Anthony Officiating. Interment will be 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Family will meet at Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Road, 12 pm.

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