Jerry Franklin Newby

Jerry Franklin Newby, 79, passed away peacefully after a very brief illness with his beloved family by his side.  Jerry was born on September 1, 1937, in Lubbock, Texas. the youngest of three children.  During his childhood he lived in Texas, Arkansas, Arizona and California.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1957 and was stationed on the USS Collette and USS Porterfield specializing in radar technology.  Following his military service he joined the aerospace industry in California which included work on the Apollo Spacecraft Program.  He met his future wife, Karen, through a mutual friend and married in 1962.  In 1963 their first child, Kelly, was born followed by son, David, in 1968. 

After a family vacation to the Northwest, longing for a simpler life in which to raise their children and to fulfill a great love of the outdoors, Jerry relocated the family to Boise in 1974.  Jerry was employed at Bob Rice Ford for many years in addition to satisfying his love of photography by working as a professional wedding photographer.  In the early 1980s he was given an opportunity to utilize his previous experience in the aerospace and auto industries and began working for Sun Electric until his retirement. 

During his lifetime Jerry pursued many interests including fishing, hunting, camping, boating, photography, woodworking, cowboy action shooting, horses, motorcycling, bowling, commercial sewing, music, gardening, computers, auto and electronics repair and was everyone’s Mr. Fix-It.  He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and many special friends including Anna Spengler, Alice and David Hamann, Walt Costello and countless others who were dear to him including his buddies of ROMEO (Retired Old Men that Eat Out) who met weekly and his friends of the Widows’ and Widowers’ group.   

Jerry is survived by his daughter, Kelly (Chris) and grandchildren Michael and Sarah; son, David (Becki) and grandchildren Grant and Reed as well as several nieces and nephews.  Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Karen; his parents; sister and brother. 

Rest in peace, Dad.  We treasure all the lessons you taught us.  We will miss you dearly but know you are on one heck of a fishing trip now.  We love you!