Joseph "Joe" D. Newsom

Joseph Downs Newsom, Jr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 31, 1957 to Joseph Downs Newsom, Sr. and Joy Bell Hoagland Newsom. He is predeceased by both parents and 2 siblings and is survived by one sister, Cathy (Don) Gatlin of Greenwood, IN along with several nieces, nephews and close cousins. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee where he attended Memphis State University until enlisting in the US Navy from 1981-1992, achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class. Throughout his military career he traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe serving on various ships as well as on the Theodore Roosevelt Nuclear Carrier. He served in Operation Desert Storm and was also on the ground investigative team after the Beirut Embassy bombing of 1984. Upon leaving the Navy, he completed his Finance Degree at JCTC and IUS and worked for US Customs, IRS in Louisville, and Indianapolis until his retirement in Jan. 2012. During his Retirement years, Joe worked part time at Dollar General, was a driver for Enterprise, and also a Guest Service Representative at the local Fairgrounds and Convention Center. At the time of his death, he was a part time temp employee of Randstad based at a JP Morgan site. Joe was a well-loved, respected, and revered friend to all he worked with. Joe was a very active member of Little Flock Baptist Church, where he served on the Finance/Legacy committees, was a frequent greeter and was also the Hospitality Coffee Coordinator. He enjoyed volunteering in preschool choir, VBS, special needs, and respite classes. He and Pam served on mission teams to Nevada, along with many trips to Utah, as well as the Watchman’s Prayer Ministries. 

 He is survived by his wife and best friend, Pamela Newsom, who lovingly cared for him until the end of his earthly journey. He is also survived by 3 stepchildren that he loved as his own, Elizabeth (Nick) Carter of Mt. Washington, KY, Jessica Jetton of Portland, Oregon, and Wesley Jetton of Novi, Michigan, along with two grandchildren, Jett and Scout Carter. Spending time with Jett and Scout as they grew, and being Grandpa Joe was his greatest joy. He was a faithful volunteer at each of their schools. 

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 11am Saturday, June 3 in the gymnasium of Little Flock Baptist Church. Dress is casual. A time of visitation and fellowship will follow until 3pm. The family ask that you please, please, please send no flowers or other tokens, as Joe’s request was that all expressions of sympathy (no matter how small) be made to Christ Fellowship Church, Lehi, Utah. Any checks for this mission should be made out to Little Flock Baptist Church, PO BOX 550, Hillview, KY 40129 (all donations will be forwarded.) Interment will be at a later date at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, KY.