John M. New, 88, of Santa Fe, Texas passed away on April 27, 2024. He was born on August 12, 1935, in Dumas, Arkansas to James & Jewel New. He was married to Willa Murray New for 68 years. John served in the US Army for 9 years, traveling throughout many states including Korea and Germany. After that he went to work in the Petrochemical field, helping to build many of the plants in Pasadena, Texas, working his way up to becoming a General Superintendent. After that his work continued on throughout the United States for many years, he retired in 2000.
He was currently a member of Calvary Crossroad Church in Santa Fe, Texas but attended the New Beginnings Church of God in Gonzales, Texas for many years before moving to Santa Fe. He taught Sunday school and built a prayer table for the church in Gonzales. He and Willa would help clean and volunteer there by making peanut brittle for fundraising. He had a talent for woodworking and made many beautiful projects. He loved going out on his boat with family and friends. But, his favorite thing to do was to watch the Astros, whether they won or lost.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Tammy New Johnson; parents James and Jewel New; sisters Ommie Gean Stratton and Frances Naomi Stewart; and brother James E. New.
John is survived by loving wife Willa New; sons Gary, wife Jeanette, John Jr., wife Cynthia, and Ronnie, wife Emily; son-in-law Robert Johnson; grandchildren Jeff New, Lacee Padron, Jeremy New, Erica Resendez, Kristen Dowdy, Courtney Madden, Jessica Robinson, Bobby Johnson, Jill Watlington, Tiffany Taylor, Jennifer Merritt, and Amanda Mejia; 24 great-grandchildren; sisters Catherine Craig of Star City, Arkansas, Ella Marie of Dalph of Buna, Texas, Carolyn Winborn of Lexington, Alabama, Julia Henthorne of Star City Arkansas, and Diane Spitza of Needville, Texas, brother Jerry Don New of Richardson, Texas; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm with the funeral service to start at 1:30 pm and a committal service to follow. All services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas.
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