Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Kenneth Leroy Newman

Kenneth Leroy Newman, 71, a former resident of Pine Bluff, WY, Kimball and Dix, NE passed away on Friday, September 5, 2014 in Mesquite, NV, where he and his wife have lived for the past two years.

Ken was born in Denver, CO on April 26, 1943 to parents Angelita and Kenneth Newman. He was raised on the family farm in Hoxie, KS and graduated from Sheridan County High School in 1961. In May 1962 he enlisted with the United States Army and was sent to Germany, where he served his country with pride and honor. He served his country from May 1962 till May 1968, reaching the rank of Supply Sgt Staff Sgt. E-6 and was honorably discharged.

Upon his return to the states, he resided in Colorado for a number of years. He worked for Barber Trucking Company from June 1968-1982. In October 1982 he started Ken's Home Improvement. In July 1984 he formed K & E Home Improvements with Ed Slaton. In July 1986, he bought Ed out and retained the name and continued the business. He moved to Pine Bluffs, WY and then on to Kimball. In 1996 he bought a house south of Dix where he and Jo continued to live and run his business there until he closed his business in December 2010.

It was in Kimball that he met his wife Jo and they were married in a beautiful ceremony in Branson, Missouri on July 28, 2006.

In January 2011 Ken and Jo moved to Kosciusko, MS where they opened a small convenience store, K & J'S Sugar Creek which they operated until July 2011 when they made the decision to close it.

Ken and Jo moved to Mesquite, NV in July 2012 to be closer to their granddaughters and watch them grow up and be involved with their lives. They were the joy of their lives.

Ken was very active in the Mesquite Elk's Lodge #2811. He became the kitchen manager in January 2014, he also held the position of Esquire, under the leadership of Exalted Ruler, Deb Oskin. Ken was also the Activities Chairman and on the House Committee. He truly loved his time in the Elks Lodge, not only in Mesquite, but also when he was in the lodge in Westminister, CO.

It was Ken's wish to be a donor and also to be cremated.

Ken is survived by his wife, Jo of Mesquite, NV, stepsons Eric Griffith and his friend Ruth Wurdeman of Dix, NE, Nicholas and wife Jessica Griffith and granddaughters Cassidy and Cailey Griffith of Las Vegas, NV. Sister Marilyn (Bob) Scott of Kosciusko, MS, Brothers Gary (Betty) Newman, Joe (LaDonna) Newman all of Hoxie, KS, Bob (Mona) Newman of Sadalia, Missouri. Sisters in law Sue Cathcart and her husband Bruce of Casper, WY, Linda Schmidt of Riverton, WY, Ann Carothers of Rock Springs, WY. Brother in law Mark (Dawn) Coy of Douglas, WY. Other survivors include one aunt, Louise Dreilling of Illinois, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends in Kimball and Dix, Nebraska.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents Angie and Ken Newman and several aunts and uncles.

A celebration of Ken's life will be held at the Mesquite Elks Lodge #2811, 545 Riverside Rd, on September 20, 2014 at 1:00 pm.

It was Ken's wishes that memorials be sent to Jo at PO Box 1375 Mesquite, NV 89024 to be put in a trust fund for scholarships for his granddaughters Cassidy and Cailey.