RICHARD “JAKE” NEWSOME

LAMAR- Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Konantz Warden Funeral Home for Richard “Jake” Bart Newsome, 79, Lamar, who died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at Mercy Springfield Hospital, surrounded by family.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Friday, at the funeral home.

Condolences may be left at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include his wife, Norma; a daughter, Terra Stevens and husband Bryan, Lamar; five grandchildren, Maddie Stevens and Megan Tummons, Dominic Stevens and wife Mindy, Jordan Stevens and Brittany Stevens; two great grandchildren; a brother, Terry Newsome and wife Angie, Kansas City, Mo.; a niece, Erica Newsome, Kansas City, Mo. and many more nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Newsome and sisters-in-law.

Mr. Newsome was born Dec. 31, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo., to Anna Rosalie (Olivia) Newsome. He grew up in Kansas City, Mo., where he graduated Westport High School in 1962. He joined the Navy in 1964 and during his four years in the Navy he sailed to many locations around the world.

After his time in the Navy, he studied criminal justice, obtaining numerous certifications. He worked for the Metro Kansas City Police Department, where he held several positions over the years.

After moving to Lamar he owned and operated Jake’s Place until his retirement. On July 1, 2000, he married Norma Jean Schmitt in Eureka Springs, Ark. Together they enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. He also enjoyed boating. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and enjoyed many Friday card games with friends.

He enjoyed all sports, especially football and the Kansas City Chiefs were his favorite team. The day before the anticipated Chiefs and Bengals playoff game, the Springfield Mercy ICU nurses surprised him by decorating his room with Chiefs decorations and memorabilia. He had a charismatic personality that often drew others to him.