2/16/12

Death of a Classmate - Wesley "Bo" Newsome


Wesley A. (Bo) Newsome Jr. Bo passed on December 30, 2011 after a period of illness. Born in Dayton, Ohio in 1930. Bo's childhood was split between Dayton and his beloved grandparent's farm in Georgia. Following graduation 1948, Bo enlisted in the Navy to be a diesel mechanic. The Navy quickly charted a different course for Bo. Sending him to Naval Prep School and then to the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation Annapolis in 1954, Bo married Jo Ann Thomas, and opted to take a commission in the US Air force. His first assignment was navigator training in Houston, TX. Then to Patrick AFB where Bo and Jo had their first two children, Mike and Nancy. The next stop was the U of I in Champaign were son, George, was born. Then to Griffiss AFB, NY to support airborne radar technology testing where the family expanded with the addition of Scott. Bo was assigned to a C-130 squadron based in Okinawa, flying missions in support of the Vietnam War. The final stop in Bo's career was a move to Seattle to serve as the Air Force Plant Rep to Boeing. Bo retired from the military in 1980. With retirement at hand, Bo relished the opportunity to spend time with Jo. Their plans to travel and pursue their interests were cut short when Jo passed in 1981 after a battle with cancer. Bo was never idle; he closely followed Navy football, the Seahawks and the Mariners. In retirement, Bo spent seven years traveling around the country in his RV, connecting with old friends, making new ones and tracing the branches of the Newsome. Bo was a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather (known as Bobo to the younger generation). He did his level best to see that his family had what we needed to pursue our passions. He taught us how to work, to play, to pray, and to stand on our own; all with a generous helping of love. Bo will live in our hearts until we meet again. Bo is survived by his children: Mike (Pam), Nancy, Pat, and Scott (Yoko); five grandchildren: Matt (Erin), Katie (Chase), Brian, Jeff (Erin), and Wesley; and three great grandchildren: Jordan and Carson (and their mother Barbie) and Patrick. A celebration of Bo's life will be held on Saturday Feb 11th at 1:00 pm at the Bremerton United Methodist Church, 1150 Marine Drive, Bremerton, WA. Please remember Bo with a donation to the Special Olympics Washington or the Wounded Warrior Project Honor/ Memory Donation.
 

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