John Franklin Newman

1948 - 2025

John Franklin Newman

December 13, 1948 - September 19, 2025

John Franklin Newman a.k.a. PAPPA GRANDE, left his earthly home on Friday, September 19, 2025. It was in the pre-dawn hours of another beautiful late summer day in September on Bent Mountain. He passed peacefully, with his wife of 40 years close by his side. His final days were spent at home visiting with his "trophy wife," "his girls," close family, and friends.

He is survived by the love of his life and "Trophy Wife" Terry (Lovell) Newman; beloved daughters, Natalie Newman and René (Eric) Newtson of Roanoke; grandsons, Carter Newman Yost and Knox Perrin Yost; and granddaughter, Alexis René Newtson; brother, Jeffrey (Linda) Newman of Crockett; "brother by another mother," Frank (Jackie) Davis; a nephew; two nieces; and other family, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Nowoka Blackard Newman and Roy Franklin Newman; his brother, James Rankin Newman; his maternal grandparents, John and Lunette King Blackard; his paternal grandparents, Dallas and Virginia King Newman; and his mother-in-law, Janie Lee McGraw Lovell.

John was born at the Bailey Hospital in Rural Retreat, Va., at 4:45 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 1948. He was a lifelong member of Kings Grove United Methodist Church; a church that was built on land donated by his great-great-great-grandparents and one that was attended by many generations of his family.

John shared an interest in Free Masonry with his paternal grandfather and father. He continued his family legacy by being raised to the degree of Master Mason on December 3, 1981.

He enjoyed growing up on the family farm near Crockett with his mother, maternal grandparents, and brothers. He spoke often of his life and adventures on the farm to include an encounter with the "red paddle" and how it was once mysteriously dropped behind the kitchen cabinet.

John attended Rural Retreat School and graduated in 1967. "#52" was the center of the football team; he was a member of the all-district chorus; and he was also an officer in the Distributive Education (DECA) club.

Having grown up on the family dairy farm, John was not a stranger to hard work. He knew the importance of doing a job right the first time. His grandmother often reminded him "that any job worth doing is worth doing right." After graduation, his first "paying" job was at the American Screw Company in Wytheville. It was likely here that John decided to get a college education as he did not like factory work. Later while attending college, he worked at Bogle Tire (another good reason to go to college). Regardless of the job, he always did his best, and made many friends along the way.

In the fall of 1967, John enrolled at Wytheville Community College (WCC) and was one of the first to attend classes in Fincastle Hall on the new campus.

He met Frank Davis, his "brother from another mother," while standing in line for college orientation at the Millwald Theatre. From that day, John and Frank remained the closest of lifelong friends.

After completing WCC, John enrolled at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Jim (brother) also attended ETSU and was a member of the same fraternity. While at ETSU, John worked at Free Service Tire (more motivation for higher education). John graduated from ETSU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971.

The early 70s were tough times for a college graduate to find a job. Such was also the case for John. His first and very brief job after graduation was selling insurance. A job he quickly found that did not suit him...he sold one policy. Later he found employment in Roanoke with Snelling and Snelling as an employment counselor. He excelled at this opportunity and was ranked among the highest performing counselors for five consecutive years. In 1977, that success led to a job offer as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor from International Rehabilitation Associates Corporation (Intracorp). While with Intracorp, he thrived in his work, and in 1981 he was promoted to manager. Never one to enjoy corporate protocol, John decided it was time to move on. In 1988, John established his own business - Vocational Rehabilitation Associates, and continued his work as a Vocational Expert very successfully until his retirement in 2022.

To say that John was highly respected for his work as a Vocational Expert, is an understatement. He was well known for his honesty, integrity, tenacity and as someone who never backed down from his well-researched opinion…regardless of who hired him. He testified in over 25,000 Social Security Disability hearings and court cases.

Among John's many recognitions and awards are Virginia Department of Health Professions - Advisory Council: 1994 – 2000; International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals - Virginia Chapter President: 1993 – 1994; International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals - Board of Directors: 1990 – 2000; and the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals - Virginia Chapter – Rehabilitation Professional of the Year Award in 1995.

John also was active in his community, and coached Girl's Soccer teams for many years. Many a trip to "town" included running into someone from the "coach" days.

He was a masterful gardener who "like his maternal grandmother" kept meticulous gardening records. He would carefully retrieve and archive heirloom tomato seeds from year to year to ensure the continued purity of the heirloom variety. He loved tomato sandwiches, and at every chance he would strongly encourage others to try them…sometimes even carrying a knife, mayonnaise, salt/pepper, "early girl" tomato and bread with him.

He could spot a "hot-house tomato" a mile away, and winter was never so long as to allow one of those abominations to enter his house. He loved sharing his homegrown produce with friends and family. He also cultivated grapes and studied with exacting detail how to care for them, just like his grandmother did decades before.

John was a very "social anti-social" person, but he never failed to leave a lasting impression on those he met.

He was a fixer. When he found a problem, he set out to "fix it," and did not rest until it was fixed. One example being the relentless efforts and his daily phone calls that resulted in high-speed internet (Cox Cable) finally coming to Bottom Creek Road on Bent Mountain.

John was a spiritual man with a deep interest in Judaism. John was comforted by these words of wisdom shared by his Hospice Chaplain – "your soul's path to God is Jewish so your soul's DNA is what matters, not the physical vessel your soul is in."

John, an avid sports enthusiast, frequently mentioned what Ann Holland said about her late husband, UVA Basketball Coach Terry Holland. When she was asked how "Coach" wanted to be remembered, she recalled him saying "like most people I just want to be able to say that I did the best I could...to make a difference, to leave the world a better place than I found it." John Newman – you certainly did that.

Where there is love, there is eternal connection. We, who loved John, will forever be connected to him.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Oakey's South Chapel. Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at King's Grove United Methodist Church in Crockett, Va. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm at the church. Masonic Rites will be administered after the funeral service at the graveside, to be followed by a private interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kings Grove Cemetery Endowment Fund, 799 Kings Grove Lane, Crockett, Va. 24323. Condolences may be shared with his family by visiting www.Oakeys.com.

Oakey's Funeral Service - South Chapel

Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131