Mike graduated from Nocona High School. He attended Tarleton State where he was an All-American in Track & Field and held the 120yd High Hurdle record for many years. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Abilene Christian University and his Master's from East Texas State University. Mike spent over 40 years preaching at Canton and Ola Churches of Christ as a minister and an elder. He also taught and coached for over 40 years at Gorman, Del Valley, Eagle Lake, Burnet and spent 27 of those years at Canton Independent School District. A Veteran of the United States Army Reserve, Mike served honorably from 1957-1963.
Coach Newby had a gift for and a love of coaching. For over three decades, he never measured an athlete by height and weight; for him, they were measured by heart and desire. As a result, Coach Newby extracted the very best of them, made them realize how exceptional and individual they were, then made them grow, mature, and become even better. His coaching and mentoring translated into countless wins, not only in a column of numbers kept in the pages of the Canton Herald but most importantly, in the lives of the athletes that graduated and embarked on their post-high school journeys.
Brother Newby baptized, married, and buried countless individuals throughout the Canton, Ola, Van Zandt County and Kaufman County communities. Those he ministered to undoubtedly knew the love shared for them was not only his, but the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior shining through him. Brother Newby truly loved those he ministered to, and they reciprocated that love throughout his life.
In retirement, Grandad Newby spent most every morning with a cup of coffee and a bible in his lap, either reclining in his easy chair or sitting on the porch with Gayle. He would catch up on his children and grandchildren, telling stories or listening to theirs. Every single child and grandchild was his favorite. And they knew it. He stayed active in the sports community by providing play-by-play for both high school football and basketball games on radio station KWJB and “Ol’ Coach” was a regular radio personality there as well.
Mike Newby is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Lila Hibbitts. He is survived by his wife, the love of his life and best friend of 65 years, Gayle Newby; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Steve Cooper; two sons and their wives: Lance and Stephani Newby, Jon and Robbie Newby; nine grandchildren: Micah, Grant and Amy, Bret, Jaylen, Jordan and Alyssa, Griffin, and Ally; and several nieces.
If the Lord’s willing, and the creeks don’t rise, there will be a memorial service to celebrate his life on May 13th, 2023 at 11:00 am at the “old High School Field” the current Jr High School practice field at the corner of W Park St and Big Rock St, Canton, Texas.
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