Gary Guy Newman Obituary (2023)

Gary Guy Newman, 84, a longtime resident of Zillah, Washington, passed away on August 10, 2023. Gary was born on August 9, 1939, in Toppenish, Washington, to Guy and Anna Laura Newman. He grew up in Zillah and graduated from Zillah High School in 1957. While growing up in Zillah, he met his future wife of 58 years, Beverly Gray. Gary attended Yakima Valley Community College, transferring to Washington State University, where he graduated with an Animal Science degree in 1963, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. While attending WSU, he competed on the University Livestock Judging Team and was a member of the Ag Club. He started his lifelong career in the ag industry, working the summer months at Stokely-Van Camp and Stadelman Fruit. After college, he began his 30-year career as an Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor, teaching at Kittitas, Touchet, Othello, Zillah, and Columbia Burbank school districts. As an FFA advisor, he enjoyed taking students to regional fairs to show animals, judge or participate in various FFA events. He made many lifelong friends along the way. During the summer months, he worked in wheat harvest and later in his career he inspected crops for Washington State Crop Improvement. He worked for a short time at Noel Foods and then Sunnyside Dairy Service. He also worked at Washington State Department of Agriculture and then Golden West Seed, before retiring. Garys passion in life was his family and friends. He was always there to support and encourage his children and grandchildren, whether it be playing sports, playing in the school band, or his favorite, participating in the various local fairs. When he wasnt helping his own children, grandchildren, or students with their fair exhibits, there was a good chance he was the official livestock judge for the fair. He also enjoyed raising animals, riding horses, hunting, and a good Pepsi. He and Beverly were active with the Zillah Alumni Association. Gary is survived by his wife, Beverly Newman, his sons, Todd (Erica Williams) Newman of Gig Harbor, Greg (Mary) Newman of Selah, daughters, Becky (Dan) Sherley of Ellensburg, and Heidi (Rob) Morris of Prosser, and eight grandchildren, Emma, Chloe, and Eli Fischer, Bailey, Bode, and Nolan Sherley, Paige and Mason Morris, his sister, Loretta (Larry) Fendell, his brother, Gay (Alice) Newman, in-laws, Dick Schafer, Carolyn (Dan Ruff) Gray, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Anna Laura (Clausing) Newman, mother and father-in-law, Willard and Alda (Goodrow) Gray, sister-in-law, Janet Schafer, niece, Angel Luisi, nephew, Eric Fendell, and great-nephew, Aaron Romero. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 2:00pm, at the Zillah Civic Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these three organizations: Central Washington Junior Livestock Show, Washington State FFA, or the Zillah Alumni Association. Checks can be sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Celebration of Life Zillah Civic Center Sunday, October 8, 2023 2:00 PM 119 1st Ave Zillah, WA 98953