Robert Newman

Robert Dale "Bob" Newman, 96, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away Monday, February 26, 2024. He was born on June 19, 1927, in Cleveland, Oklahoma to Rufus R. Newman and Bessie Jones Newman.

Bob was the second oldest of 4 siblings. He attended Cleveland High School where he excelled in football and basketball. At age 17, he was drafted into the army and served in World War II from 1945 to 1947. He was stationed in Korea. Upon leaving the military as an Army Staff Sargent, he returned home to graduate from Cleveland High School. Bob attended Northeastern A&M, and Central State University in Edmond, where he played football. Bob had the privilege of flying to Washington DC on the Honor Flight for war veterans of World War II.

Bob married the love of his life, Nancy Newcum, also of Cleveland, on November 26, 1952. They moved to Tulsa and raised their family together. They had 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, with the 12th due in March. Bob loved to dance. He and Nancy square danced for many years. They danced together at every wedding until it became too difficult for him with his knees. He especially loved to dance with his grandchildren at their weddings, which are memories that they'll always hold dear.

Bob worked for American Airlines for 10 years. After one year in Long Island, New York while with American, they moved back to Tulsa. In 1961, he went to work for Shell Oil Company, also in computers, and retired after 26 years in 1987. In his retirement, Bob volunteered in the used car ministry at his home church, First Methodist Church, servicing cars that would become a blessing for families in need. His happy place was working under the hood of a car, grease rag in hand. He was loved deeply by those who worked alongside him or who got to experience his joyful laugh and huge heart.

Bob loved to play golf. He had a group of friends that he played with regularly. He shot his age, "72" in the year 2000 and got his name in the Tulsa World. He loved to play in golf tournaments and in later years when he could no longer walk well enough, he drove the golf cart to provide for other golfers. Family vacations in Florida always included daily tee times with his kids.

In the last six months, St. Francis Hospice nurses Francis, Rhonda, and Amanda became good friends to Bob. His family truly appreciates all they did for him. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dona Lou White, his two brothers, William Larry Newman and Jess Everett Newman, and his grandson, Kody Cyle Newman. Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Nancy Newman; his children, David (Gloria) Newman, Nena Newman, Paul (Michelle) Newman, Ann (Jeff) McIntosh, Mark (Rita) Newman, all of Tulsa; his grandchildren Katie (Seymore) Shaw, Natalie (David) Leonard, Lindsey (Brian) Meek, Trevor Newman, Kelsey (Grayson) Ardies, Renee Farley, Tyler (Kayla) McIntosh, Brett (Ashley) Newman, and Emily Newman; great grandchildren, Harper and Hudson Meek, Ella Kate and River Leonard, Sydney and Journey Shaw, Eleanor Ardies, Grace Farley, Blakley McIntosh, Eden McIntosh, and Aria Newman; brother, Gerald R. Newman; sister-in-law, Abigail Newcum Boatman. Bob also has many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

A family graveside service will take place at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma on 11:00 am, Monday, March 4th, 2024, at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place at First Methodist Church, 1115 S. Boulder, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements by Chapman-Black Funeral Home of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

The Family has request that in a Lieu of Flowers Donations to be made in honor of Robert to St. Francis Hospice (918) 494-6468 or The First Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma - 1115 South Boulder - Tulsa, OK 74119 (918) 592-3862