Riley Gene Newsom

Riley Gene Newsom, born in Mexico, Missouri and son of Floyd Newsom and Betty [Browning] Newsom has passed away on February 24, 2024 at the age of 79 in his home in Redlands, California. Riley was employed by A.B. Chance Company, Centralia before entering the army. He attended the University of Missouri and was drafted at the age of 21 in 1965. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. He then completed a six-week lineman course at the Army Southeastern Signal School, Fort Gordon, GA. He later earned his undergraduate degree in Business is Illinois. While in the army he served in multiple countries including: Korea, Japan, and Okinawa and respectfully fought in the Vietnam War and within 14 months he was promoted to E6. After 5 months overseas he came back to the United States and worked as a machinery technician in Oklahoma. From there he would later return to Japan to continue to serve for the army. He served over 20 years in the United States Army and retired in Central California; Marina. He was by common law married to Pok Son for almost 50 years and had two daughters: Luisa and Rita Newsom. In 2001 Riley and Pok settled in Redlands, California where he continued his career as an engineer. His daughters would soon join him in Redlands where he eventually gained 3 grandsons in total, in order: Avery, Roman, Elijah. His last notable job was selling automobiles for Honda. Riley will always be remembered as being selfless, dependable, humble, strong-willed, and an extremely exceptional male figure in each of his roles as partner, dad, and grandfather. He will be remembered as a man of integrity, good character, a Christian, and a dedicated family man. Our dad will always live on in the hearts of his family and friends; he will never be forgotten. We will remember all the stories both heartfelt and funny; We will celebrate his life and all the fond memories we’ve experienced with such an extraordinary human being. We love you dad. Love you Yobo. We will see you again in heaven one day. He is survived by spouse Pok, daughters Luisa and Rita, grandchildren Avery, Roman, and Elijah. His brothers Benny Newsom and Gary Newsom and his sisters Ida [Jennings] Newsom and Betty Jo [Miller] Newsom.

"I’M FREE"

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God laid for me

I took his hand when I heard him call,

I turned my back and left it all

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I’ve found that peace at the close of day

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah yes, these things I too will miss

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow

My life’s been full, I’ve savored much,

Good friends, good times, my loved one’s touch

If my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief

Lift up your heart, rejoice with me,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

By Anne Lindgren Davison