He was born March 7, 1933, to Melvin Lawrence Newman and Alice Marie Newman at the Newman North River Ranch in Hecla. He attended grade and high achool at the Hecla public school and attended South Dakota State University, majoring in agriculture economics.
He was an officer for 17 years in the South Dakota Army National Guard and retired from the U.S. Army reserve.
Mr. Newman began his banking career in 1954, and pursued his career in the South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Florida and Washington regions. He was executive officer for Washington Independent Bank shares and Group President for Washington Independent Bankers Association, retiring in 1987.
James is survived by his wife, Lucille E. Newman; four children: James E. Newman of Olympia, Wash., Lori A. Freeman of Shelton, Wash., Anne A. Aqualias of McCleary, Wash., and Vincelle M. Calica of Shelton, Wash.; along with five grandchildren: Ben Freeman, Nicole Freeman, Shelby Durand, Joaquin Aqualias and Kody Aqualias; and two great-grandchildren: Tionna Freeman and Haley Freeman.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Alice; and both parents.
He retained lifetime interests in the agricultural industry, bird hunting, fishing and camping for many years with many friends. He was a member of the Quarter Horse Association, Appaloosa Association and the Aberdeen Angus Association. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, 40 Et 8, American Legion, Ducks Unlimited, Eagles and served in several capacities in the Democrat Party. He was a lifetime member of American Lutheran Church.
Services are pending at this time, but will be held with immediate family and interment will be in Hecla, S.D.
Cards and letters may be sent to James Newman family, in care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington, 2830 Willamette Drive N.E., Suite G, Lacey, WA 98516.
To leave memories, please go to funeralalternatives.org.