Curtis Tolbert Newman

1928 – 2020

Curtis Newman was born on November 1, 1928 in Bakersfield CA to Roy and Esther Newman.

He died on May 1, 2020 after a brief illness. He was living at Aegis Living Aptos Assisted Living

Community with help from his son, Mark, in recent years. Curtis enjoyed 63 years of loving

marriage to his wife, Alma. Together they raised their family, traveled the world, built their dream

home and adored their grandkids. Curtis cared for Alma faithfully during her long illness and he

never really recovered from her loss in 2014.

Curtis moved with his family from a farm in Bakersfield to Frazier Park in 1937. He first met his

future wife, Alma Hensley, while they were both students at the school in Frazier Park . In 1946,

at the age of 17, Curtis enlisted in the US Navy to do his part in World War II. He served in

Guam and was honorably discharged in December 1947. Curtis always felt very honored to be

a veteran of service to our country.

Curtis and Alma married in 1950 and they lived and started their family in Lake of the Woods.

Curtis was self-employed as a carpenter and he built or worked on a great many homes and

cabins in the mountain communities. In 1965 the family moved to Porterville, but they never

really left the mountains.

After retiring from his career as a maintenance carpenter at Porterville State Hospital, Curtis and

Alma returned to their property in Lake of the Woods and built their home. Someone once

“accused” Curtis of building the house like it was a piece of furniture, and that could be more

than half true. He was competent in many building trades. In particular he was a meticulous and

highly skilled craftsman who made beautiful cabinetry, trim and, yes, furniture.

Curtis, with Alma, was one of the founding members of the Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society. Curtis was very active in this group and it was important to him to gather

and preserve the history of the area – including some history which he was a part of! Curtis

served as the museum’s curator for several years, a role he filled with a great pride and sense

of responsibility.

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alma and his brother Roy. Curtis is

survived by his son Mark Newman and his wife Jennifer Colby, daughter Carol Hicks,

granddaughter Sarah Newman and granddaughter Rebekah Faria and her husband David, and

great-grandson Dylan. He is also survived by his nephew Gary Newman, grandnephew and

niece Geoff and Taira and other extended family.

A private family service is planned. For those who wish to, memorial contributions in Curtis’ name may be made to the Ridge Route Communities Museum and Historical Society (PO Box 684, Frazier Park, CA 93225), or to a charity of choice.

During this time of COVID-19 pandemic families are unable to have Celebration of Life's for their loved ones. In light of this we can give our condolences and memories online so that families can read your words and feel your love..

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Newman family.