John Newsome Sr.

John W. Newsome Sr. CHESAPEAKE - John W. "Bobo" Newsome Sr., 84, passed away Aug. 22, 2008. John was born in Selma, Ala., and was the son of the late Lillian and Thomas Newsome and was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Ann Newsome. He joined the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Hornet in the Pacific where he participated in the Jimmy Doolittle raid, as well as the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. He was also aboard the Hornet when she sank during the Battle of Santa Cruz. John later served on the Sangamon during the Battle of Okinawa. Following the Navy, he went to work at the Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) and later retired after 38 years. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. John loved his golf and baseball. He played and coached for many years especially for the American Legion teams. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Catherine Hipple "Kitty" Newsome; three children, Kathy Rhodes, Margaret "Peggy" Sinkking and John W. Newsome Jr. and wife Anita; grandchildren, Kelly Gunning, Shawn Newsome, John Sinkking, Paul Sinkking and wife Laura; four great-grandchildren, Holly, Sydney and James Gunning and Taylor Sinkking; sister-in-law, Margaret Sample; brother-in-law, Thomas Hipple and wife Ann; numerous nieces and nephews. A special thanks to nephew Bill Sample who was always there for John. A memorial Mass will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Christ the King Catholic Church, 1803 Columbia Ave., Norfolk. Monsignor William Pitt and Father Brian Rafferty will officiate. Interment will be at a later date. The Newsome family would like to express their most sincere gratitude to all the doctors and medical personnel who cared for John, also to the many friends for their prayers and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital or to Christ the King Catholic Church. Friends are invited to send condolences and sign the online guestbook at www.omanfh.com.