James (Butch) Gammon Newman

James (Butch) Gammon Newman, age 76, passed away in Knoxville on Sunday, May 21, 2017. His faith, family, friends and Military Service to his country were of paramount importance to him. It was easy to be Jim’s friend because he accepted and respected people just as they were. As a result, he had many life-long friends. Jim and his eight siblings were raised by their parents, Hugh and Maxine Seivers Newman, in the Vestal community in South Knoxville. Because of his loving home environment, Jim learned the values of truth, honesty, hard work, dedication to family and love of country. Jim and his family lived through many of the epic events the United States experienced during the Twentieth Century. He and his brothers and sisters sometimes recalled how they and their parents adapted to the challenges the country faced. Friends love to hear the stories because they reveal the resilient character of the American people and the love the Newman family had for their country. Inspired by his brothers, Tom and David who were United States Navy veterans, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18. During his service, Jim served on the USS Lake Champlain. In the Cuban Missile Crisis, the USS Lake Champlain was one of the ships that maintained the embargo that kept Soviet ships from entering Cuban ports. As a crew member, he also witnessed the recovery of Gemini 2, an unmanned space capsule, and Gemini 5, a space capsule manned by Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad. After 4 years of dedicated active service, Jim was honorably discharged. After his discharge from the US Navy, Jim had a long career in the computer programming industry in Providence RI. He was also an avid fan of the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Volunteers. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Maxine Seivers Newman; brothers, Hugh, Jr., David and Thomas Newman; sister, Helen Vandergriff; and former wife, Judi Newman. He is survived by his daughter, Dawn Marie Newman; grandchild, Sam Devine; brother, Kenneth Newman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Delores Moorehouse (Ron), Vivian Ridenour (Fletcher) and Betty Workman. Even with the passing of Jim, he would take great pride in knowing the comfort and joy his special daughter, Dawn, has given him. His wish would be for her to reflect on all the good times and love they shared. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 pm Monday, May 29, 2017 at ROSE MORTUARY BROADWAY CHAPEL. Family and friends will gather at 11:15 am Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Hwy for an 11:30 am graveside service with Rev. Dr. Alan Smith officiating. Full Military Honors will be conducted by the Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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James (Butch) Gammon Newman

December 30, 1940 - May 21, 2017