Roy Newsom

Roy Lee Newsom, at the “young” age of 82, unexpectedly passed away on Oct. 14, 2022.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21, in Gentry’s Mill Cemetery under the direction of Riley Funeral Home.

Roy was born in Snyder on Jan. 2, 1940. Throughout childhood he lived in several small west Texas towns.

Roy married Mary Frances Oliphant on Dec. 24, 1960, just before serving a short stent in the National Guard. After serving, he pursued a career in education where he wore many hats.

Roy had a gift for motivating and connecting with everyone he met. He loved talking about his days at Gustine ISD where he served as a principal, teacher, basketball coach and head coach of the cherished 1971 undefeated football team.

Roy never met a stranger and was very proud to show off his “God’s Green Acres.” He stayed busy and always had new projects in the works.

“One of these days I’m going to retire from working so I can just play out here,” he always said. Mr. Newsom will be dearly missed by many who had the opportunity to know him.

Roy is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Newsom; father, Ernest Newsom; mother, Betty (Hoyle) Newsom; and brother, Vernon Newsom.

He is survived by his sister, Cleta Stapp; daughters, Laurie McEntire-Newsom and Kimberly Gunter; son-in-law Steve Gunter; and grandchildren Landry Gunter, Melodee Reagan and Logan McEntire.

Pallbearers will be Steve Gunter, Landry Gunter, Logan McEntire, Dylan Whitehead, Jace Oglesby, David Daniel and Conrad DeLaGarza.

Memorial donations may be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, 600 SW 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101.