James "Jim" R Newport

James (Jim) Richard Newport, 89, of Gibsonton, Florida passed away Saturday, September 2, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South. He was born November 16, 1933, in Jacksonville, Illinois, son of Carl and Ethel Lucas Newport. He married Agnes Carson on August 25, 1962.

He is survived by his wife Agnes, his two sons, Richard (Lisa) Newport, Tony (April) Newport, his daughter, Cindy (Jason) Amato, son-in-law, Richard Fridge. There are seven grandchildren: James “JT” (Carter) Newport, Ireland, Jamie and Connor Newport, Richard, Carson and Kylie Fridge. Jim is survived by his nephews, Craig (Doris) Newport, Chuck (Linda) Newport, Dan (Connie) Newport along with many great nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Fridge, his parents, brothers Ed and Bob and his sister, Dorothy.

Jim graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1952. He went into the Air Force and retired as Master Sergeant in 1977 after 22 years. He served in Europe and Southeast Asia. After leaving the service, Jim attended Hillsborough Community College and Saint Leo’s College receiving an Associates Degree in Occupational Health and Safety. He was Director of Loss Control for a major Florida Workers Compensation Third Party Administrator. He was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the World Safety Organization.

Jim was a member of Nativity Catholic Church and he volunteered at the Nativity Food Pantry for many years.

He has been a fishing enthusiast since he was a small boy and in more recent years, he became a YouTube enthusiast.

A visitation for Jim will be held Monday, September 18, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511. Following the visitation will be a funeral mass from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511. Food will be served in the social hall following the service.

The burial with military honors will take about place at Hillsboro Memorial at 1 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Newport family.