Raymond John Newton (Ray)

4/25/1932 - 8/20/2020 On April 25, 1932, Raymond John Newton was born to Leroy and Josephine Newton.  He had a sister, Dorothy, & a brother, Robert.  Ray grew up in South Omaha.  He was a Cub Scout & took dance lessons which is probably where he gained his appreciation for musical movies.  Ray enjoyed sports.  He was catcher & outfielder for the South High School baseball team who won the city championship in his senior year & he played tight end on the football team.  He bowled in church leagues & played amateur hockey. Ray graduated from South High School in the Spring of 1950 & began working for a sheet metal company.  He wanted to be an apprentice, but that didn't seem to be working out.  At the advice of his brother, Robert, Ray applied at & was hired by the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. where Robert also worked. In 1952 Ray was drafted into the Army & went to Fort Benning in Georgia.  He served in the Signal Corps until 1954 when he was honorably discharged.  Returning to Omaha, along with a dog named Susie, he returned to his job with Northwestern Bell. One fall evening in 1954 at a bowling alley, Ray & Judy renewed their acquaintance & began dating.  Ray & Judy were married on June 11, 1955, at Bethel Lutheran Church.  Ray continued working at Northwestern Bell until he retired in 1986.  After they were married, Ray took a correspondence course for tv repair & did repair work on the side for many years. Other favorites of Ray were the Saturday pheasant hunting trips with his sons, other family members & friends which often included a stop in Wilbur, NE, for kolaches.  Many trips home from church we were serenaded by the Big Joe Polka Show.  For many years, Ray volunteered his time & talents at Westgate Ball Field: coaching, mowing, repairing, serving on the board & more. Ray is survived by Judy , his loving wife, of 65 years.  Children: Gregg , Brian & Eileen, Sharon & Jerry Dirks and Gary & Joanie, all of Omaha. 10 Grandchildren: Drew & Annie; Dan & Lindsey; Katie & Jake Wendling; Lisa , Megan , Jeff & Jess ; Brad & Grace, Elizabeth , Emily & Ben .    4 Great Grandchildren: Audrey , William & Brett Newton and Josie Wendling. Sister in law:  Carolyn Roberts; Brother in law & Sister in law Russell & Fran Anderson as well as nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday 5 - 7 PM with Funeral Service at 7:00 PM at Roeder Mortuary 2727 N 108th Street Omaha, NE. Interment Omaha National Cemetery. Memorials to Camp Rivercrest or Wounded Warrior Project. Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel 2727 N 108th St - Omaha, NE - 402-496-9000 www.RoederMortuary.com