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 greatgrandchildren
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
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Thomas "Tom" Lee Newport, please visit our floral store.