Fitzroy Newsum Obituary

94, of Denver, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2013, surrounded by his family. Col. Newsum trained as an Army Air Corps pilot in Tuskegee, AL in 1943, was a member of the African American pilots famously known as the Tuskegee Airmen, and was a founding member of the local Hubert L. "Hooks" Jones chapter of the national Tuskegee Airmen. In 1989 he received the Brigadier General Noel F. Parish Award for outstanding achievement on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush in 2007. Following his retirement, he pursued a second career in public relations at Martin Marietta Aerospace in Denver. Col. Newsum earned an undergraduate degree from the College of Military Science at the University of Maryland, and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma. He is survived by Joan Carney Newsum, his wife of 63 years; four children, Brian, Dani (Ron Schlenberg), Eric (Darnell), and Gail; four grandchildren, Nicholas and McKenna Newsum-Schoenberg, and Taylor and Savannah Newsum. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Marissa Newsum-Schoenberg. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM Monday, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2201 Dexter St. Full military honors will be conducted at Fort Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 83395, Los Angeles, CA 90045.

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Published by Denver Post on Jan. 9, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Fitzroy Newsum

11 Entries

George Berry

January 17, 2013

I had the privilege to have served in the USAF at McConnell Air force Base from 1966 - 1970 at the 532nd SMS. Col Newsum was part of the 381st SMW of which our squadron was a part of. I am proud to have know him. I met him later on in Denver Colorado when I worked at the U S Postal Service during a small busiiness outreach program. He was a great man and a role model for many. My heartfelt condolences to his family. I will never forget his legacy and his contributions to our great country. Vaya Con Dios Dear Brother, Role Model and Mentor.

Charon Coffman

January 16, 2013

It's difficult to find the words that adequately describe the impact Col. Newsum and his entire family have had on my life. My heart is filled with love and admiration for all of you.My father served with the colonel in France and at McConnell and my earliest memories are intertwined with him and his family. Thank you so much Joan,Dani and Brian for sharing your home and time with me at one of the most difficult times of my life. Love, Charon

January 14, 2013

I had the privlidge to have served in the USAF at McConnell Air force Base from 1966 - 1970 at the 532nd SMS. Col Newsum was part of the 381st SMW of which our squadron was a part of. I am proud to have know him. I met him later on in Denver Colorado when I worked at the U S Postal Service during a small busiiness outreach program. He was a great man and a role model for many. My heartfelt condolences to his family. I will never forget his legacy and his contributions to our great country. Vaya Con Dios Dear Brother, Role Model and Mentor.

John Sutherland

January 14, 2013

Rest in Peace Colonel Newsum. You were a fine military officer and a much, much better person. You will be missed by many.

Len D'Andrea

January 13, 2013

Dani,
I feel privileged to have been able to meet and speak with your father a few years ago when you and Ron were visiting in Brooklyn. There is no better way to describe a true American than to refer to your father. Mary Lou, Denise and I send our condolences and wish you and your family strength during this sad time.

Jack Boyd

January 12, 2013

Buck was a wondeerful person, always positive and a dear friend who made my life much easier.

Tina Newlin

January 11, 2013

There are no adequate words to express my sorrow for the passing of your Beloved Husband and Father. I loved Mr. Newsum and always thought of him as one of my Fathers. From the time we were very young I was in awe of his accomplishments. He was certainly a hero in many ways. He gave me courage and filled me with pride that he made it through not only battles in the air but also in the unmentioned battles of adversity and racism, with his head held high with grace and dignity. All of our lives were made richer by his presence. He will be missed.

William Kostka

January 9, 2013

An amazing, wonderful warm hearted person who generated the love of everyone he met. I feel fortunate to have known him.

Bill and Cynthia Kostka, Denver

Victoria Snowden

January 9, 2013

A great American hero, a mentor to many, and a friend to everyone he met. Buck always had time to help others and will be remembered by all of us.

David Shade

January 9, 2013

What'a great American!
He truly was a hero on mine.
I worked at Wright-Patterson AFB and had the honor of accompanying him on his first visit to the USAF Museum and seeing his reaction when he first encountered his picture hanging prominently in the museum. I had many dinners with 'Buck' and as a fellow pilot I enjoyed many an hour listening to his stories. America needs more Buck Newsum's.

Lisa Goodwin

January 9, 2013

I worked with Buck in 70's & 80's. He was so helpful to me, especially since I was new to Colorado. I recently had the pleasure of running into him at a Restaurant. Thank you for you service to America.... you are a true, honest and honorable human being and American. It was an honor for me to have known you.

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