Thomas Pryor Newman

Thomas Pryor Newman, born November 30, 1934 died peacefully on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, surrounded by his family.
Tom is survived by his wife Sally, his daughter Lisa, her husband Peter van Maastrigt, grandson James Bevington; his son Tommy, his wife Amy, granddaughter Charlsey; and his son Beau. He is also survived by his sister Sarah Shouse, her husband Bill, his brother David, and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents Pryor and Hazel Newman.
Tom attended Arnold Elementary and was a 1952 graduate of Bradley High. He was an all-around athlete playing football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He was also a water ski enthusiast.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a degree in business administration in 1956. At UT he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and the university golf team.
Tom worked until retirement for various divisions of Combustion Engineering/ABB Group as a purchasing manager specializing in steel tubing. After retirement he joined Babcock Power as a consultant working from home, and traveling the world’s steel mills. Right before his 80th birthday, he finally retired for the second time.
Tom is best known for his big smile, easy going attitude, and love of life. He was devoted to his family and church, where he especially loved the children. One of his biggest passions was for preserving the pioneer history of East Tennessee. Over a period of 40 years he assembled a log cabin village on the property of Newman Farm. His “Village at Hawk Creek” will live on as a testament of his desire for today’s youth to know their pioneer heritage.
His family is comforted by the fact that Tom lived fully up until his final day, demonstrating love, kindness, acceptance of everyone, and an appreciation of old fashioned values and work ethic. Tom’s life touched many people and left all of us better off for having known him.
Visitation will be held at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, Tennessee on Friday, January 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, January 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 1:30. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the children’s programs at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Caring Place in Cleveland, or Habitat for Humanity. You are encouraged to share a memory of Tom and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guestbook located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist Tom’s family with his arrangements.