Raymond John Newton (Ray)
4/25/1932 – 8/20/2020
On April 25, 1932, Raymond John Newton was born to Leroy and Josephine Newton. He had a sister, Dorothy, & a brother, Robert. Ray grew up in South Omaha. He was a Cub Scout & took dance lessons which is probably where he gained his appreciation for musical movies. Ray enjoyed sports. He was catcher & outfielder for the South High School baseball team who won the city championship in his senior year & he played tight end on the football team. He bowled in church leagues & played amateur hockey.
Ray graduated from South High School in the Spring of 1950 & began working for a sheet metal company. He wanted to be an apprentice, but that didn’t seem to be working out. At the advice of his brother, Robert, Ray applied at & was hired by the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. where Robert also worked.
In 1952 Ray was drafted into the Army & went to Fort Benning in Georgia. He served in the Signal Corps until 1954 when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Omaha, along with a dog named Susie, he returned to his job with Northwestern Bell.
One fall evening in 1954 at a bowling alley, Ray & Judy renewed their acquaintance & began dating. Ray & Judy were married on June 11, 1955, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Ray continued working at Northwestern Bell until he retired in 1986. After they were married, Ray took a correspondence course for tv repair & did repair work on the side for many years.
Other favorites of Ray were the Saturday pheasant hunting trips with his sons, other family members & friends which often included a stop in Wilbur, NE, for kolaches. Many trips home from church we were serenaded by the Big Joe Polka Show. For many years, Ray volunteered his time & talents at Westgate Ball Field: coaching, mowing, repairing, serving on the board & more.
Ray is survived by Judy, his loving wife, of 65 years. Children: Gregg, Brian & Eileen, Sharon & Jerry Dirks and Gary & Joanie, all of Omaha.
10 Grandchildren: Drew & Annie; Dan & Lindsey; Katie & Jake Wendling; Lisa, Megan, Jeff & Jess; Brad & Grace, Elizabeth, Emily & Ben. 4 Great Grandchildren: Audrey, William & Brett Newton and Josie Wendling.
Sister in law: Carolyn Roberts; Brother in law & Sister in law Russell & Fran Anderson as well as nieces and nephews.
Visitation Tuesday (8/25/20) 5 – 7 PM with Funeral Service at 7:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108th Street Omaha, NE. Interment Omaha National Cemetery. Memorials to Camp Rivercrest or Wounded Warrior Project.
Roeder Mortuary, Inc. – 108th Street Chapel
2727 N 108th St – Omaha, NE – 402-496-9000
www.RoederMortuary.com
