Gary Newman

TEN MILE Gary Raymond Newman, 64, died peacefully at home in Ten Mile surrounded by family and friends on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013.Born in Sweetwater on Oct. 22, 1948, he attended grammar school in Charleston, West Va., after returning to Sweetwater he attended both Sweetwater High School and TMI. He served two years in Vietnam and Korea and four years in the Tennessee National Guard, he was a lifetime member of Sweetwater Gold Star V.F.W. Post 5156, and the Athens Elks Lodge and A.M. Vets. Gary was a former president of the Sweetwater Jaycees. He began driving the local Toms potato chip truck after returning from the war where he made friends with many people. Mr. Newman owned and operated Newmans Mobile Homes and Lakeview Resort for 40 years, also developing Woodridge and Woodland Estates in Athens. He received many awards for being a Clayton Mobile Homes Independent Dealer. At one time Mr. Newman was elected to the Athens City Council. He was a member of Mount Harmony Baptist Church in Riceville.He had a great joy for life and loved classic cars, motorcycles, his cats, Miss Kitty and Elvis. He also thought the world of his grandson, Harrison.Preceded in death by his parents, Etta and Raymond Newman and life long friend, Mike Melton.Survivors include his wife, Kathy Newman, of Ten Mile; daughter, Annetta Newman and fianc, Robert Brindle, of Riceville; son, Bradley Newman and his mother, Shy Greene, of Charleston; stepdaughters, Tasha Barber and husband, Gerald, of Riceville, Jessica Steedley, of Athens; grandchildren, Harrison Newman, Mason, Caitlin, Mallory, Ashley and Caleb; sister, Debbie Ritchie, of Sweetwater, nephew, Robbie Rose, of Sweetwater; aunt, Ruth Moser, of Ten Mile; special cousin, Robin and Frankie Tallent, of Ten Mile; numerous other cousins; special friends, Ray Whitlock, Mike Hicks, John Turpin, Dale Cook, Kathy Womack, Scotty Hannah, Eddie Moses and Dr. Joe and Jan Moore.The family will receive friends on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, at Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, from 5 until 7 p.m. followed by a celebration of life service in Kykers Chapel with Rev. Gary King officiating.Interment 1 p.m. Friday in West View Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Sweetwater Gold Star V.F.W. Post 5156 and member of Monroe County D.A.V. chapter 93.Gary loved to support the McMinn County Humane Society, the family request that memorials may be made to the McMinn County Humane Society, P.O. Box 7, Athens, TN 37371.Kyker Funeral Homes, Sweetwater, in charge of arrangements. www.kykerfuneralhomes.com.