Obituary of James Newman

James R. Newman, Age 86, of Maple Grove died Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at his home in Maple Grove with loving family at his side. James Reynold Newman was born December 22, 1934 in Cloquet and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church on October 9, 1949. He was a 1953 graduate of Fairmont High School, Fairmont, MN. Jim received an Athletic Scholarship to U of M. He played basketball and participated in track. He held the high school record at 4.32.4 and district record 4.35. Jim attended the U of M graduation with a B.S. in Education. He was captain of the cross country running team.

He was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Spear on September 3, 1958. They lived in Proctor, MN where Jim taught Industrial Arts and coached track team. He also worked at Control Data and then moved to Alexandria, MN teaching computer programming at Alexandria Vocational School. 

In 1959 Jim enlisted is the US National Guard. Jim and Nancy then moved to Crosslake where they retired in June of 1999. He was a member of Crosslake Lutheran Church. Jim loved the outdoors and living on Daget Lake in Crosslake. He liked camping, biking, cross country skiing, and wood carving. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play hockey and tennis.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Newman of Maple Grove, MN; children, Tom (Tammy) of Apple Valley, MN, Ken (Noa) of Breezy Point, MN, Mark (Suzie) of Rogers, MN; grandchildren, Trevor, Derek, Jayden, Josie and Riley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Dick Ringsred and brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Joyce Newman and his son, Dan.

A celebration of life will be held at Crosslake Lutheran Church in the Spring.

Memorials can be made to Mayo Clinic Department of Development for Cardiac Research.