Age 92, Tulsa - Funeral services for former Lawton resident will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Lawton Heights United Methodist Church with Chaplain (COL) Jack N. Anderson, USA (Ret), Frederick, Maryland officiating. Mr. Newby died Saturday, May 1, 2010 in Tulsa. Burial will be in Letitia Cemtery, east of Lawton under the direction of Becker Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at the funeral home. He was born August 30.1917 in Walters, OK and was raised in the Lawton area, around Walters, Cache Creek , and Sterling as well as Lawton. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1938 and graduated from Cameron College before joining the U. S. Army in 1940. Jess was an All Star basketball player in high school. He also was a college and Golden Gloves boxer, and later an amateur boxing referee. He served in the 84th Infantry Rail Splitters in Germany during WWII and received a Purple Heart. Jess worked with the Lawton Fire Dept for 7 years before taking the job at the Fort Sill Fire Dept . He retired as Assistant Fire Chief after 37 years of service. He volunteered time with American Red Cross and Lawton Heights Methodist Church. Served on the Governor's Water Safety Board for 1 term in the mid 1960's He married Geneva Aline Anderson in Lawton on June 6,1943 and remained married until death , almost 67 years. He was a beloved husband and father and adored by his children and grandchildren. He rarely missed a sporting event or activity. Preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, 2 sisters and Daughter-in-law, Cindy A Newby, of Walnut Cove, NC. He is survived by his children Jess Richard Newby of Walnut Cove, NC, G. Aline Newby Dillahunty and son-in-law Jimmy G Dillahunty of Tulsa, OK, John Dean Newby and Daughter-in-law Pam Rhoads Newby of Oklahoma City, Ok, and Tommy Dale Newby of Oklahoma City, Ok.,13 Grand children, 15 Great Grand children, and 1 Great-Great Granddaughter. After his family and work, his great passions were catfishing and college sports. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Care School, 12201 N. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73114