Harry H. Newsom Jr.

Harry Harvey “Pop” Newsom Jr., 81, died Saturday, June 20, 2009, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.

He was born June 12, 1928, a son of the late Rev. Harry Harvey Sr. and Lexie Flatt Newsom. He had been a resident of Wedgefield since 1971 and was retired from the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant after 20 years of dedicated and faithful service. He served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was the recipient of many medals and honors. He was the owner of the former Newsom’s Grocery in Wedgefield and had reported weather for NOAA for more than 20 years. Mr. Newsom had served as a board member of Wedgefield-Stateburg Water District, a volunteer firefighter with Wedgefield Fire Department and a member of REACT. He was a 33rd degree Mason and a member of the Sumter Masonic Lodge No. 364. In addition to being an avid fisherman and hunter, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Surviving are his devoted wife of 61 years, Bobbie Sanford Newsom of Wedgefield; two daughters, Elizabeth (Sam) Kornfeld of Knoxville, Tenn., and Rose (Terrance) Sestokas of Turbeville; a son, Harry Harvey (Anne) Newsom III of Tacoma, Wash.; a sister, Ruth Coltart of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; a brother, Richard Newsom of Fort Walton Beach; five grandchildren, Terrance D. Sestokas Jr., Matthew Sestokas, Melissa Green, Amanda Newsom and Diane Walbeck; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a son, John Alton Newsom.

A celebration of life service was held on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with a U.S. Air Force chaplain officiating.

Full military honors and the fire department honor guard will follow.

Interment will be held at a later date in Trinity Cemetery in Nut Bush, Tenn.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, S.C. 29210-3855.

Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter was in charge of the arrangements.