James L. Newkirk Sr.

James L. Newkirk Sr., 93 of Portland, Maine (formerly of Lakewood and Manchester, New Jersey, Hendersonville, North Carolina and Naperville, Illinois) passed away on August 10, 2022. Jim was born on August 7, 1929, in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Denison University in 1955 with a BS in Political Science and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

The booming western suburbs of Chicago was an ideal place to raise his family while he grew his career in the construction materials industry. In this career, he worked with Armstrong World Industries, Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, Celotex Corporation and Chicago Metallic Corporation where he retired in 1993 after 24 years as Sales Manager of the Chicago Finished Metals Division.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Henry M. Newkirk in 1967 and Mary M. Potts Newkirk in 1991; his brother Richard M. (Mary) Newkirk in 2010, his sister Jean (Alonzo) Hoffman in 2022. His heart broke with the death of his beloved wife of 61 years, Myrna on June 7, 2022. Surviving are his daughter, Susan and son-in-law Bryan Lewis and their children Keegan Lewis and Cailey Lewis; and son, Jimmy (Kelly) Newkirk, Jack, and Faith Newkirk; nieces and nephews.

Jim was a proud veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

He was also active and gave back to the community of Naperville, IL. He served twelve years on the Naperville City Council, two years as a member of the Naperville District 78 School Board, and numerous boards and commissions including President of the Eastern Illinois University Parents Board, the Naperville Riverwalk Commission, and the Naperville Sesquicentennial Commission.

One of his proudest civic accomplishments was the formation of the Naperville-North Central College Community Concert Association of which he served as the founding director and first president.

Jim continued to show appreciation to his communities wherever he lived. In New Jersey, Jim was a member of the Toms River Presbyterian Church where he was a lay reader and served on the Board of Deacons. Jim and Myrna chaired the Sunshine Committee and served on other committees in their Harrogate community.

Jim and Myrna loved to travel. They enjoyed retired life traveling extensively around Asia and Europe with friends and their daughter and son-in-law. Jim loved being a grandparent and it showed. He and Myrna participated in their grandchildren's school and sporting events, activities and especially loved taking Keegan and Cailey on 'mystery trips' when school was out for the summer.

Jim's last days were spent at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House surrounded by the family he loved. Our father, grandfather and friend will forever be remembered for his love and generosity. May he rest in peace.