Obituaries

RAYMOND HOWARD KURT NEWMAN
SEPTEMBER1ST, 1933 – NOVEMBER 6TH, 2024

On Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, at Grace Hospital our Dad, Uncle, Grampa and Great Grampa passed away peacefully at the age of 91. He did not want a funeral, and his ashes will be spread in his favorite bay at West Hawk Lake where our Mom is.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Ruth and 2nd wife Bev, sister Irene Fast and brother George Newman (Perlita). He is survived by his 4 children, Dwayne (Patsy), Wyatt (Misty), Lorelei (Mark) and Curt (Eunice). He would want you to know that he considered Doug Hansen his 4th son. Also, Grandchildren Carly, Paige, Markie, Tori, Maisy, Frank, Sam and Dallas. Great Grandchildren Hadley, Beckam, Jagger and Kylie.

A life well lived. If you know our Dad you know his zest for life, family first then sports. Up until his surprising stroke on October 26th he was as active and seemingly healthy as ever. A previous CTV Sports Star of the week (August of 2022), he played hockey and baseball all this past summer.

This former stock room boy, mechanic, race car driver and taxicab driver used his incredible work ethic and smarts to retire proudly as the President of Red River Community College (now RRC Polytech) in 1990.

Settling in Mesa, Arizona since 1990 he created many friendships and teammates for almost 34 years and was planning another visit this year. Special thanks to Dave and Theresa Pearson who were dear friends of Dad and helped him and Bev out so much during Bev’s decline from Alzheimer’s both at West Hawk Lake and in Mesa.

After Mom passed away in 2005, he was blessed to remarry Beverley Mason and continue to winter in Mesa dancing many nights away with his 2nd love. Bev sadly passed away this past January 8th after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was blessed again to find love and friendship with Millie Browne and recently they traveled to Germany for a Newman family reunion and a River Boat Cruise. I haven’t checked but he may have been the oldest travel agent. Millie was so helpful and supportive during our around the clock hospital stays with Dad.

In true Ray Newman fashion, Mr. Organized started chronicling his life in a series he coined “Know Your Parents”. He would e-mail each episode to the 4 of us kids. His last episode detailed how he met Millie. There are 48 of these episodes describing meeting, dating and marrying our Mom and the same for Beverley, his various jobs, antics as a young man, you name it and he described it in detail shaping a picture of a life well lived and filling in many blanks for us kids.

There is no doubt that all we need is a producer and we have a great series.