Dr. Lucian Newman Jr.

Dr. Lucian Newman, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on January 11, at the age of 85. Lucian is pre-deceased by his parents, Dr. Lucian Newman, Sr. and Edna Katherine Brand Newman, his sisters, Yvonne Newman Meigs, and Joy Newman Bunn, and Marilyn Newman. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Jane Leatherbury Newman and their three children: Jane Newman Williams (John), Lucian Newman III (Melissa), and Charles Leatherbury Newman (Pam), and seven grandchildren: Carl Mandel Nechtman (Elise), Charles Schilling Nechtman (Samantha), Jane Elizabeth Nechtman Douglas (Taylor), Virginia Walton Newman Vandervoort (Kenneth), Lucian Newman IV (Lauren), Elizabeth Linden Newman Butts (Hunter), and Charles Leatherbury Newman, Jr. and 8 great-grandchildren.

Lucian was born on February 14, 1937 and raised in Dadeville, Alabama. Lucian’s first love was showing and judging cows. He spent many a night sleeping on hay bales at the Alabama State Fair. He was most proud of judging cows at a national level in Iowa. While in high school he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and later was on the board of the Choccolocco Council. He played the trumpet in his high school band and played “Taps” at many funerals——not to mention waking teenagers up to “Reveille” at six in the morning for kicks. Lucian attended the University of Alabama, where he met the next love of his life, Jane Elizabeth Leatherbury. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Alabama. They were married in Mobile in 1957. Afterwards, he attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine where he found his third love, the practice of medicine. He graduated with honors including AOA. After completing his general surgery residency, he was drafted into the Public Health Service where he was head of the Indian Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma. Lucian started his surgery practice in Gadsden, Alabama in 1968 and served as chief of staff at both hospitals in town. He was a fellow and president of the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Surgeons as well as the president of the Caduceus Club. He founded the EMS/paramedic program at Gadsden State Junior College and trained many of our first responders. The outstanding paramedic student award is named in his honor. He served on the medical board of ProAssurance for over twenty years and was the medical director of Life of Alabama since 2007. By and large, his greatest gift was the ability to love, serve, and treat his patients. His bedside manner was second to none and he considered taking care of them as his greatest honor and privilege. Medicine was not just a job but a “life” for Lucian. He retired after 52 years of practice in 2020.

While his love for medicine cannot be denied, Lucian always remained steadfast to his faith. He was a deacon at the First Baptist Church and a member since 1968. His Sunday school class meant the world to him. His faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was always front and center in his life. He served on the Board of Directors at Westminster Christian School where all three of his children and four of his grandchildren attended school and chaired the board in 1986. HIs faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was always front and center in his life. His favorite hobbies included travel, yard work, his boat, and snow skiing with the family. He loved his farm, mowing grass, and most of all, his tractor…. Jane and Lucian created many treasured memories at their lake house on Lake Guntersville and loved celebrating the 4th of July with his family and friends. Lucian was passionate about Alabama football and went to as many games as possible…..He attended at least 6 national championships. He always watched the Bama games through “crimsoncolored” glasses. Most importantly, he and Jane left the family with a legacy of love that continues to grow.

The memorial service will be at 11:00 at the First Baptist Church Gadsden on January 14th with a visitation beginning at 9:00 at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made to Westbrook Christian School or the Gadsden Firefighters/EMS department.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Newman family.