Last Updated on December 19, 2021 by Murray-Weaver Funeral Home
Thomas (Tom) Lee Newport passed away at his home on Friday, December 10th. Tom was born on Wednesday, August 13th, 1941 to Vernon and Ethel Newport in Logansport, Indiana. Tom would say he was a “street rat” during his early years; hanging out with his buddies, sneaking cigarettes and generally trying to skip school and chores. So his parents decided to switch schools on Tom and he was shipped to Washington Township in his freshman year of high school. Sports became a way for Tom to remove himself from his old life and he quickly excelled in track & field and basketball. Being 6’4″ in the 1950’s meant you were tall! During this time as a Washington Twp. “Hatchet”, Tom met a confident and chatty farm girl, Kathy Ream, and they began dating. They had been married for over 62 years at the time of Tom’s passing.
After marrying and having their first child, Kerrie, in 1959, Tom was offered the opportunity to play basketball on a scholarship at a Junior College in Texas and the new family moved to the LeTourneau College (now University) in Longview, TX. Tom studied to be an industrial arts teacher. He also led the basketball team as one of their leading scorers and rebounders. After 2 years at LeTourneau, the family came back to Indiana for a chance to further Tom’s education and basketball career at Tri-State College (now Trine University) in Angola, Indiana. They had their oldest son, Troy, while Tom was enrolled there. They made lifelong friends at Tri-State and Tom found his calling in the Civil Engineering program. He played well for his favorite basketball coach, Mark Peterman. During his time at Tri-State, he was a teammate of future Harlem Globetrotter, Ray Lothery.
After graduating, Tom worked designing Ponderosa Steakhouse sites and worked as an engineer for Central Paving, among other companies. Youngest son, Trent, was born in 1969.
Tom got his land surveying license and started his own company (Newport Surveying) in 1972. He surveyed in Cass and surrounding counties for over 40 years. Many friends and family members worked at Newport Surveying over the years. Tom also partnered and worked in a local farm operation for 10 years.
Tom will be remembered as a kind and quiet man of integrity and honesty. He had a good sense of humor and loved to play golf, fish and work on projects in his shop at home. Many people knew Tom as the local “Marlboro Man” as he always wore cowboy boots and western belts, bolo ties and vests. Winston cigarettes and Budweiser were his vices.
He was always quick to help any family member or friend with construction projects as he was a skilled carpenter. He made great impressions on everyone he worked with and all of his extended family. Tom was a “2nd Dad” to many who needed his support and guidance. By all accounts, he was considered to be a fantastic son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, son-in-law, brother-in-law and friend. Tom Newport was the true patriarch of the Newport/Ream clan.
Tom is survived by his high school sweetheart and bride of 62 years, Kathy (Ream), daughter Kerrie (Dave Morris), sons Troy Newport (Cathi) and Trent Newport (Jill), grandchildren Nicki (Dave Lowe), Derek Snyder (Hannah), Dane Snyder (Megan), Savannah Avanesyan (Mike), Amelia Newport and Max Newport (Bella Carrera). Tom had 12 great grandchildren as well.
Visitation will be held on at Murray- Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston, Indiana on Saturday, December 18th from 11 AM to 1 PM with service immediately following. A celebration of life and memories will be held after the service at the Galveston Community Center (101 S Park Rd) until 4 PM. Please join us and share your favorite memories of Tom.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Tom’s name to;
AIM (Adolescent Intramural Mentoring) Logansport
c/o Cass County Juvenile Probation
506 High Street
Logansport, Indiana 46947
(574) 753-7834