---

Thomas "Reece" Newman

Thomas \"Reece\" Newman

Dec. 5, 2012

Thomas \"Reece\" Newman, 80, of Decatur, died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Soin Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 31, 1931, and was a son of the late Tom Davis Newman and Willie Velma Wilson Newman and was preceded in death by one sister, Wilma Joyce Cockerham. He was employed at Newman Lathing in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., until he retired in 1996. He was a member of Concord United Methodist Church and was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the U.S. Air Force.

He loved the outdoors and was an ardent farmer, hunter and fisherman. He spent countless hours working on the family farm with his siblings providing for the Newman clan.

Survivors include his loving children, M. Jeanne Gray, Karen Newman and her longtime partner, William J. Meagher, Linda S. Brelsford and her husband, Jeffrey Brelsford, and T. Michael Newman; his granddaughter, Melinda Peffer and her husband Michael; one great-granddaughter, Madeline Rose Peffer; 10 brothers and sisters, Helen Juanita \"Polly\" Rinehart, Willie Maynard Newman, Robert Edgar \"Ed\" Newman, James Ernest \"Jim\" Newman, Frank Bige Newman, Ailsey Carolyn Talent, Ralph Davis \"Pete\" Newman, John Neal Newman and Archie Lewis Newman; his dear friends, Larry and Barbara Reed; and many nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Sterling House in Beavercreek, where our father resided, for their exceptional service and caring support.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Bowers Funeral Home with Pastor Linda Parton officiating. Burial will follow in Sewee Creek Church of God Cemetery with full military honors.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Go to www.bowersfh.com to sign the guest book and offer your condolences.

Bowers Funeral Home of Decatur is in charge of arrangements.