Norman Newsom

Norman, a native Houstonian, was born on November 16, 1941 to Norford Joseph Newsom and Olive Judy (Riley) Newsom. He graduated from WW Samuels High School in Pleasant Grove, Texas in May, 1960 and was reporting for duty at the US Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, California on July, 7, 1960. He was assigned to infantry training at Camp Pendleton, California. His rate/MOS was “wireman.” Duty stations included 29 Palms, California, Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines and Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in 1963. Upon release from the military, he worked in Data Processing as an IT Programmer and Data Control Supervisor.

He was born when his mother was 16 years old; his father served in the Merchant Marines; his paternal grandparents owned a drugstore in downtown Houston where he would spend time reading comics then putting them back on the shelf to be sold to “real customers”; his maternal grandfather was a professional boxer. He used to tell people that he was a latchkey kid before the phrase became popular. His claim to fame was having his picture in the newspaper in an iron lung when he developed polio at age five. When asked what he would change if he had “do overs” in life, he would say joining the USMC was one of the best decisions he ever made and he would do it again. Also he would never hesitate to marry Becky. If asked about hobbies his answer was “Becky is my only hobby, I don’t have time for anything else.”

After retirement in November 2006, he enjoyed volunteering at the East Fort Bend Human Needs food pantry. He also enjoyed watching the birds at the feeders in his backyard, especially the hummingbirds.

Norman is survived by Becky, his wife of 43 years; his son, Gregory (Pam) of Frisco, TX; his step-children, Melissa Tielke (Tim), Sugar Land, TX; David Carter (Reann), New Braunfels, TX; and his one sister, Yvonne Pladsen (Ken), Virginia Beach, VA. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norford Newsom and Judy Wood.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Houston National Cemetery.

Following the interment a memorial service will be held on Friday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Sugar Land Baptist Church, 16755 SW Freeway in Sugar Land, where Dr. Taylor Sandlin and Jeff Moran are to officiate.

Memorial donations may be made in Norman’s honor to East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministries, 435 Stafford Run Road, Stafford, TX, 77477.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.