John Wesley Newman was born April 19, 1954 in Commerce, Texas to Elmer Roy (Roy) Newman and Cuba Jeane (Jean) Yates Newman. His family relocated to the Lindo Drive address in Mesquite, Texas Area when he was a small child and made their home there. As a growing child, he used to go to work with his Dad and Uncle Jesse, as a "go-for", and learned their trade of carpentry and started working in that field at a young age. He later used those skills to work as a Flooring Installer. He was a hard-working man who was very independent and didn't expect a "hand-out" for anything. In his 40s, he was stricken with the same disabling rheumatoid arthritis his Mother suffered from, for years, before it taking her life at a young age. He powered through work, even though it was affecting his joints and bending his body, to provide. Pain came out through a gruff exterior for the latter part of John's life; but, if you got to know him and love him, his connection to you and love for you heavily out-weighed the short-fuse and gruff exterior. He loved more fiercely than most anyone you'd know, and was a faithful, loving Friend, Husband, and Father. Few got this close to him, but if you were one of those fortunate few: he was someone you could ALWAYS count on and trust in and, inside, was a kind, loving, GIVING soul with a truly wicked sense of humor and always a hug and a word of encouragement. Writing his obituary is something I hoped I'd never have to do, as he was my rock I've leaned-on, for many years, and hoped I'd never have to be without. I cannot express the love I had for him and how much of a hole his passing has made in my life. But: he was always there for me and I Loved Him, Dearly. John is survived by his immediate family: daughter, Heather Hopper; son, John-Thomas (J.T.) Newman; his wife (myself), Judith (Judy) Newman; and brother, Troy Lee (Troy) Newman. One Aunt: Carol Newman, and other cousins, nieces and nephews whom, although not named here, know of their importance to him. He was predeceased by his grandparents: James Leon (Lonnie) Newman, Nevie Lee Thornhill Newman Pharr & Samuel Amariah Pharr and Ruben Allen Yates & Bessie Elsa Mae Vaughan Yates, and one brother: William Loyd (Loyd) Newman. John's cremains will be interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery, north of Ladonia, Texas where many close family members, including his brother, Loyd, are buried. Many uncles and aunts are at rest, there, as it was their childhood home and where his grandmother, Nevie Pharr, lived for many years at her Kean Street address. There will be no service, at this time, as many remaining relatives are unable to travel and the weather is so cold; however, a dinner will hopefully be planned, sometime in April 2023 (close to John's birthday) to remember him for any who would like to and are able to attend and remember Our John. In going through family documents, and writing this obituary, I found a clipping John's Mother, Jean, had kept in her personal notes, amongst other notes in her scattered "diary": explaining the pain she was experiencing in her life, due to her arthritic condition. It apparently spoke to her and, as I read it, it spoke to me about my husband, John, and the type of man he was: The Fellow You Might Have Been Did you ever think what you might have been If you'd never a bruise or scar? It's the rougher ways and the tougher days That have made you the man you are. The closer a vine's cut back sometime, The finer and stronger it grows. Who knows – if you'd never been pricked by the thorns, You might never have known the rose. You may think Fate's handed you more than your share, And maybe it's hard to grin, But the chances are you're a better man Than the fellow you might otherwise have been. - Helen Lawrie Marsha We Love You with All Our Hearts, John, and I will wait to be with you, again, My Love. All My Love: ALWAYS! j* Direct Cremation Tuesday, December 20, 2022