Henry Frank Newsom

Henry was born September 25, 1936, in Pearsall, Texas. His mother, Emma, and father, Leo, were familiar faces in the local community of small-town Pearsall, both with large extended families. Henry grew up surrounded by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

His mother, Emma, would become the chief operator for the telephone company and spent many years after as a devoted Sunday School teacher. Leo continued the farming and ranching his family had begun and ventured into other enterprises, such as being a co-owner of a Gulf Service Station in town.

Out of their blending came Henry’s agility with the world. From his dad, he learned the ruggedness of nature and agriculture. From his mother, he learned to serve others with compassion and tenderness and gained genuine decency and goodwill toward all.

In 1963 Henry married Mary Holmes. Henry and Mary celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on May 31, 2022, surrounded by so much love, from children and family to numerous friends who have become family.

Henry cherished any opportunity he could spend with his family and friends. His broad reach and his love of all people enriched his life immensely. But nothing could match his affection for the family ranch. From the time he could walk, he was on horseback exploring nature. He learned the most valuable ranching and farming from local ranch workers and was fluent in Spanish from an early age. But he was equally at home in the city, spending many years as a clerk in the gift shop at the Institute of Texas Cultures, where Mary was a docent. Many friends were gained in those years of service, and many jokes were told, too. One of his favorite things was to ask someone where they were from. Whatever answer they gave would get a response from him about Texas. If they were from California, he said, “oh, over there in far West Texas?” Or if they were from Massachusetts, he would say, “oh, that’s up there in Northeast Texas.”Along with his quick wit and good humor, we will miss so many things about Henry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Leo Newsom. Henry is survived by his loving wife, Mary Newsom, children, John Newsom and Lenora Newsom, and family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the family home in San Antonio on November 19, 2022, at 10:30 am. For more information, please email us at [email protected] or call (210) 549-9055.