Alfred Jay Newell

Alfred Jay Newell, age 92, of Portland, Oregon, passed away on January 27, 2018. He was born in McAllister, Kansas on November 20, 1925. He graduated from high school early when drafted into the Navy during World War II. He served on USS LST 895 in the Pacific during 1945-46 and participated in the landing of occupation troops in Japan.

He married childhood friend, Betty Jean Burch, on May 31, 1949, in Winona, Kansas. They soon headed west where Alfred pursued a career in the fire sprinkler industry as a pipefitter and later as an engineer. They lived in Montana and Washington states before settling down in southeast Portland to raise their four children.

Alfred and Betty were members of Glisan Street Baptist Church in Portland during their retirement years. He was a faithful servant and volunteered mowing and caring for the church landscaping. He had a green thumb and enjoyed puttering and fixing things. Friends and family remember him as being friendly, hard-working, a gentle man and generous. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2000. He is survived by four children: Linda Wright (John), Fred Newell (Glenda), Mary Salholm (David), and David Newell (Angie), 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Alfred ain't done yet even though he passed from this earthly life at 92. He would like to let you know that his work here is done. He received an offer that is too good to refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus: a reunion with family and friends he has not seen in a long time. His new job takes him to a wonderful place where he will be worshiping, resting, and doing things he enjoys. He will have a 100%-content-and-satisfied heart, sharp hearing, good health, strength guaranteed and food that is perfect. Alfred left, but not before thinking of each child and grandchild. He wants them to know that the new assignment is better than anything he could have imagined. The sports are better than the Trail Blazers because now he gets to play! For by grace is Alfred saved by faith, not by works, and he cannot boast. Except to boast in his Lord Jesus!

A committal service at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, will be held at a later date.