Dan Clive Newberry

Dan Newberry passed away quietly at 3:45 PM on Jan. 25th, in his constant care room at Spring Harbor, after a year-long battle against lung cancer. All who knew him mourn the loss of one of the kindest and gentlest persons God ever created.

Born and raised on a small farm near Gleason, Tennessee, Dan kept the farm going with his mom during his last three years of high school while his father and older brothers served their country during WW2. While he would always maintain his love for the land, those three long years convinced him that farm life was not for him, so in August of 1946 he began his unlikely journey from a poor farm boy to a successful, respected, and well-loved physician. In the fall of 1961, he settled in Columbus, GA with his wife and children, and established the Anesthesia Associates of Columbus.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, George and Shirley Newberry, and his two older brothers, Ralph and Earl Newberry. He is survived by his treasured wife of 67 years, Sue Newberry; by his three blessed adult children, Holly Newberry Thomason, Glenn Newberry, and Neil Newberry; and by his priceless grandchildren, Brooke and Justin Thomason (wife Kacy), Kristen and David Newberry, and Rachel and Natalie Newberry. His love for them was deep and unwavering.

“Doctor Dan” was a beloved physician who, for more than 30 years as an anesthesiologist, treated his patients with understanding and compassion and treated all of the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and hospital volunteers with kindness, respect, and appreciation.

Dan was also an avid tennis enthusiast. He enjoyed the sport for around 60 years, playing as often as he could until the final year of his life. He played in CORTA for many years and was the oldest member (77) of a CORTA team that once won the Super Seniors state title. He enjoyed winning, but the camaraderie and the simple opportunity to play were what brought him the most joy. He valued his Thursday Tennis Group, and they maintained regular contact with him even when he could no longer play the sport he loved.

Dan also appreciated the Columbus travel group with which he and Sue took many international trips during their sixties and seventies. While he and Sue were enthralled and amazed by many of the places they visited, the most important thing to them was being able to share the trips with their friends.

Mainly, however, Dan Newberry was a humble, dedicated Christian who loved his God, his family, his church family, his friends, and the patients he was privileged to serve. He considered himself incredibly fortunate. He never lost his sense of gratitude at being blessed by God with a life that was, in his words, “better than I ever deserved and most certainly far better than I ever expected.”

A memorial service of love and celebration will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 30th in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Columbus. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial gift to either First Baptist Church of Columbus, Valley Rescue Mission, CORTA, or Columbus Hospice.