Garland Gene Newman was born August 26, 1934 in Greenville, TX to W.T. Newman and Argaree Laverne Foote. Garland passed away peacefully on August 21, 2021 at the age of 86.
Garland was the eldest of four and grew up farming and picking cotton in the Greenville / Campbell area. He graduated from Savoy High School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Airforce serving our county from 1955 to 1958 and served in the Reserves until 1963.
He married Margaret (Peggy) Victor in 1962 in Virginia City, NV. They were married for 57 years until Peggy's death in January 2020.
He was the first in his family to get his Bachelor's Degree. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Fresno while working a full-time with a family of 2 daughters in 1974.
Garland and family moved from Fresno, CA to Garland, TX in 1983.
Garland loved life. He was a pilot, racecar driver, sailor, coach, salesman, volunteer, and HAMM radio operator.
Garland was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Garland is survived by his daughter Kimber Rovito and son-in-law Rick Rovito; daughter Karen Newman and daughter-in-law Linda Jackson; grandson Nicholas Rovito; brother Charles Newman; sister Betty Mann; sister Nelda McAnally; six brothers-and-sisters-in-law; twelve nieces and nephews; fourteen great nieces and nephews; four great-great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception immediately after at Charles W. Smith and Sons Lavon-Chapel.
Interment to follow at Millwood Cemetery in Lavon, TX.
The memorial service is open to all family and friends. Everyone will be asked to wear a mask during the service and reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in the memory of Garland Newman to the GARLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB; 1027-B, AUSTIN STREET, GARLAND, TX 75040