Roger Alan Newbrough
Graveside services for Roger Alan Newbrough will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 13, 2021 at Dawson County Cemetery with Pastor Chad Clark officiating under the direction of Branon Funeral Home in Lamesa. Viewing will begin on Saturday, September 11th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday September 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Roger Alan Newbrough of Lamesa, TX died September 9, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas at the age of 84. Roger was born April 15, 1937, in Santa Clara, California to Jerry and Pauline (Calhoun) Newbrough, and he was the second of four children. His family moved to Lamesa when he was just two years old. Though he wasn’t born in Texas, Roger always said that he got here as soon as he could. He grew up in Lamesa and married Jo Ann White in 1955 when they were just 18 years old. They added to their family a couple of years later with the birth of their son Jay Alan, and their daughter Debra Ann came a few years after that. Though Lamesa had always been their home, Roger moved his young family to Coyanosa, Texas for a farming opportunity. After being away from home for eight years, they moved back to Lamesa to farm and be closer to their families. Roger always spoke of his time and friends in Coyanosa very fondly.
He spent the bulk of his years farming cotton and peanuts in Andrews and Dawson Counties. He drove over 100 miles a day—sometimes seven days a week—to check the tractors and the water. Every farm truck he owned had no less that 200k miles on it, and the engine or the transmission had been replaced at least once. He even kept his last farm truck on the side of his house after he retired as some sort of memorabilia to his farming days and the hundreds of trips he and his wife made to their grandchildren’s ballgames. He finally gave up the daily drive after he turned 65. Though he wasn’t spending his time in the field anymore, he still loved to talk about the weather and how the local crops were doing that year. After he retired, he spent the rest of his years at home with his wife Jo Ann, tinkering in his garage and rigging things around the house. Most days were spent quietly at home watching the news or one of his favorite John Wayne movies. On occasion, they would venture out for a date night to the Sky-Vue or Spurlock’s for a chilicovered something.
He loved Dr Pepper, the Dallas Cowboys (even when they didn’t deserve it), the Texas Rangers, and the Atlanta Braves. He also loved fishing at Lake Thomas, and he regretted not dragging the boat down there more often. He also loved maps more than any person should. It didn’t matter if you had lived in the same place for 20 years and traveled the exact same route every time, he’d unfold his map and plan your drive with you. Roger also never owned a computer or had internet access. He believed he already had enough information in his brain and just didn’t have room for one more thing. He had an infectious laugh, and he was quite a storyteller. Roger loved to talk about “the good old days,” back when he was obviously ornery and more adventurous. Everyone had heard all of his stories a million times over, but the story was always worth another listen, just to see him light up and hear that laugh. Roger will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jo Ann of Lamesa, daughter Debra Newbrough of Lubbock, son Jay Newbrough (wife Debbie) of Andrews, brother Dan Newbrough (wife Glenice) of Andrews, six grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Pauline Newbrough, brother Jack Newbrough, sister Sharon Rainey, and grandson Brad Newbrough. To send condolences online, please visit www.branonfuneralhome.com.
