James Walter Newman III

James W. “Jim” Newman, III, age 82, died on Monday, January 1, 2018, around 6:00 in the evening. Mr. Newman was born in Vicksburg, MS, to J. W. Newman, Jr. and Marion Askew Newman. He resided in Jackson, MS, for over 60 years, but for the last several months had resided at the Memory Center at The Blake at Township in Ridgeland, MS.

Mr. Newman was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Miriam Hendrix Newman, his parents and his sister, Jacqueline Newman Amacker Fischel. He is survived by one son, J. Walter Newman IV (Deborah); three daughters: Margaret Louise Newman, Miriam Newman Evans (Fred), and Mary Katherine Newman Thompson (Lynne); nine grandchildren: JW Newman V (Elizabeth), Zach, and Brock Newman, Dailey (Caroline), Newman (Sarah), Cole, Natasha, Alex Evans, and Katy (Josh) Riley; and three great grandchildren: James Walter “Walt” Newman VI, Jo Ann Robinson, and Lyla Jordyn Riley.

Jim was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point where he played football as a freshman under Vince Lombardi. The highlight of his college football career came in a freshman game against Syracuse. The Orange Men had a pretty good freshman running back named Jim Brown. On one of his runs Brown broke through the line and was met head on by Jim Newman. That is the last thing Jim Newman remembered about that game and it ended his dreams of being a college football player. Jim Brown went on to have a pretty good career. Jim Newman loved to say that apparently Coach Lombardi could not recognize talent.

After graduation from the University of Mississippi, Mr. Newman served in the U. S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant. Mr. Newman returned to Oxford, MS, to attend the University of Mississippi School of Law and subsequently served in the military as a Jag Attorney at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He continued his studies at New York University where he earned a Masters Degree in Tax Law. Upon graduation, Mr. Newman returned to Mississippi and practiced law in Jackson, MS, as a sole practitioner and later with his son, Walter. He served as a Chancellor and a Judge and an assistant District Attorney in Hinds County. He taught at the Jackson School of Law. He also presided over Lunacy Hearings. He retired from his law practice in 2012.

Jim Newman was an avid outdoorsman and loved to share hunting and fishing with his grandchildren. He took them on trips to Alaska to fish and hunt bear and to Argentina to duck and dove hunt. He also introduced them to deer camp life at “Backwoods” Hunting Club in Issaquena County, MS. He loved attending his grandsons sporting events and never missed one. He was a regular fixture in the Jackson Prep stands, even after all his grandchildren graduated.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2018, at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. preceding the funeral service. Interment will follow the service at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, MS.

The Newman children would like to thank the staff of Sitters, Inc., The Blake and Hospice Ministries for the kind care given their father over these past ten months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Edwards, MS, French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745 or Palmer Home for Children, P. O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703.