James "Ron" Newman
Jan 12, 1948 - Oct 22nd, 2019- Birth Date: Jan 12, 1948
- Death Date: Oct 22, 2019
- Funeral Date: Oct 29, 2019, 11:00 am
- Location: Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church
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Biography:
James Ronald “Ron” Newman passed away at his home in Fairplay, CO Tuesday, October 22, 2019. He was born in Mountain Home, AR on January 12, 1948 to Loraine Echols and Bill Newman.
Ron was a 1966 graduate of Morrilton High School, the University of Central Arkansas and Kansas State University where he received a master’s degree in urban planning. He also served his country in the United States Army National Guard for six years. He began his career in Little Rock with Little Rock MetroPlan, the Capitol Zoning District, the Little Rock Planning Department and finished his planning career in the Secretary of State’s Office as executive director of the state capitol buildings and grounds. After work, Ron was always active in his favorite activities in Little Rock: sports, music, fishing and camping. He and his wife Jane and Mary and Robert Boyce founded the Hillcrest Neighborhood Softball League for girls in 1984. Ruebel Funeral Home was the original sponsor. They recruited two teams of 5-9 year old girls, known as the Red Rue-Bells and the Blue Rue-Bells. That softball league is still in existence and still playing games in Allsopp Park. Many of those initial team members have daughters who have been or are still being blessed by that same sports opportunity. Since his love for music was always active, and having “graduated” from his own garage band in Morrilton back in the sixties, he decided to further his love of music and fun by playing guitar and singing with friends (and Jane) in a popular local band known as “Little Joe and the BK’s” for eleven years.
An avid sports enthusiast and outdoorsman, Ron and his best friend Jane moved to Colorado in 1997 to live their love of God’s Creation in the mountains. Since there was no need for an urban planner in the mountains, Ron pursued a Colorado teaching certificate and worked in the schools coordinating online classes, coaching middle school football and high school baseball at South Park school in Fairplay, CO. True to his love for nature, sports and music, after retirement he increased his snow skiing, mountain biking and hiking and fly fishing. He also formed a new band called “Harvey’s Mill” and played the mandolin at church services.
Ron had a special love and affection for his many close friends and large family, including in-laws and former in-laws, also known as in-and-out-laws…although they were always still in. He was a devoted father, brother, grandfather, uncle and great uncle to all the family. He was also known as “Pops” and “Uncle Silly Ron.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Wayne Gilleland; and his mother and father-in-law Marge and John Gilleland. He is survived by his wife Jane Gilleland Newman of Fairplay, CO; his daughter Ashley Newman Mosely of Little Rock; his grandsons Luke Mosely and Cole Dodson of Little Rock; and sisters Nancy (Glen) Acre of Maumelle, AR and Kay (Roger) Trotter of Navarre, FL.
He is also survived by six nieces and nephews: Carly Gilleland of Phoenix, AZ; Haysen Gilleland of Shreveport, LA; and Zak Gilleland of Pensacola,FL; Leabeth Gilleland Campbell of Little Rock; Lesley (Adam) Skinner of Minturn, AR; and Marshall Trotter of Pensacola, FL.
Great nieces and nephews include Katherine Skinner of Minturn, AR; Cadyn Gilleland of Phoenix, AZ; Gabe Campbell of Orem, UT; Sophia Campbell of Little Rock; and Hazel Thorley Campbell of Cedar City, UT. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Katherine McClerkin and Diane Suitt Gilleland, both of Little Rock.
The family wishes to thank friends, family and Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church for the love and care to the family for over fifty years living on this earth--and wonderful teaching, shepherding, church services, weddings and funerals.
A memorial service and celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Pulaski Heights Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Gilleland Endowment, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church Foundation, 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, AR 72205. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
We are so sorry to hear about Ron. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss him and all he has brought to our lives, our church family and community. We will be in touch. If you need anything we are here for you. All our love, Dicky, Teresa, Chris, and Caroline
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