Tributes

Mr. John Robert Newell was born in Kenedy, Texas to Alton Scott Newell and Winifred Elizabeth Jandreau Newell. John was in his beloved Jamaica celebrating his 53rd wedding anniversary with his beautiful wife Sue when God called him home. John and Sue are a storybook couple who first visited Jamaica on their honeymoon, in 1964, and returned there every year to celebrate. John lived life on his own terms and went to be with his earthly parents and heavenly father suddenly and without suffering at the age of 75 on April 21, 2017. John grew up in San Antonio, graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1959, and attended Baylor University before his Father convinced him to come home and join the family business. John was a visionary in the metals recycling industry. As a pioneer in the heavy media non-ferrous separation business, John founded Newell Limited to separate non-ferrous metals like aluminum from the residue leftover by the automobile shredding business owned by his father, Alton; inventor of the Newell automobile shredder and recycling magnate. That business grew to several locations nationally and overseas. Although scrap metal ran in his blood, John was a serial entrepreneur who started many other businesses and loved to defy current assumptions with new thinking and revolutionary processes. He invested in real estate, restaurants, mining, oil and gas, hospitality, auto dealerships, farming, and breweries to mention a few. He was a man of his word, in business and life; known by many as a tough, but fair negotiator. He excelled in anything he put his mind to. He was a scratch golfer and an avid hunter on a global scale. He had a gift for architecture and he was a phenomenal sportsman with a rare passion, knowledge, and skill for a wide range of games. Regardless of his location, John could often be found playing bridge, backgammon, cards, chess or dominoes. But win or lose, he was always gracious. John and Sue have been very generous with their many family and friends over the years inviting them to travel with them to the places they love. In addition to his generosity John was a loyal gentleman, a natural leader of men...a Man’s Man. Family always comes first with The Newell’s and John made having his family with him a priority over the years. His wife, Sue, was always by his side and his life goal was to fill her heart with happiness and make her dreams come true. In his life, he developed many longtime friends during his involvement and memberships in Trinity Baptist Church, San Antonio Country Club, The Argyle, Club Giraud, ISRI, Oak Hills Country Club, The Tryall Club, Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, Grand Conseil Du Vin de Bordeaux. He was preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife of 53 years Sue Peeler Newell; Children: Natalee Newell and Noelle N. Hollingsworth; Sons-in-Law: Kevin Hollingsworth and Royce R. Brewer-Vogt; Grandchildren: Kristian Kleck Newell, Stefan Chandler Newell & Sloane Hollingsworth; Sister: Sharon N. Shirley; Brother: Alton Scott Newell, Jr.; Brother-in-Law: L. Chip Shirley; beloved Nieces and Nephews; and a host of friends. Honorary Pallbearers: Kyle Cole, Chris Embrey, John Ginsbury, Kit Goldsbury, Henry Herrera, Kevin Hollingsworth, Jack Hunter, Ed Kopplow, Dickie Longoria, Jim Lovell, Bo McAllister, Drayton McLane, Jr., Ron Malek, Alton Scott Newell, Jr., Joalton Newell, Buck Nichols, Bart Palm, Lee Peeler, Dick Roberts, Bill Wise, Skinner Simpson, Chip Shirley, Bobby Triesch, Justin Triesch, Bud Urrutia, Royce Brewer-Vogt, Mark Watson, Jr., Steve Wilde, Bob Worth and Russell Wright. John’s Family would like to send a special thanks to their long-time partners, clients, vendors, and employees: Of special note, Corinne Robichaux, Gregorio Carrillo, Higinio Ramirez, and Guadalupe Puente, have all been with John since he opened Newell Limited in March of 1976. Our other longtime associates include, Richard Barthels - 40 yrs, Esther Aguilar - 38 yrs, Jose Moreno - 38 yrs, Buck Nichols - 36 yrs, Juan Torres - 34 yrs, Adrian Gonzales - 33 yrs, Eleazar Ramos - 30 yrs, Wade Brauchle - 26 yrs, Harry Peterson – 21 yrs, Tom Harlan - 19 yrs, Russell Wright - 19 yrs, Sal Salmon (Retired) - 19 yrs, Raul Tamez (Retired) - 19 yrs, Keith Eldred – 15 yrs. Heartfelt thanks go out to: Rachael, Leti, Magda, Laura, Araceli, Jean-Luc, Marie Giselle, Gilbert, Christina, Roland, Angela, Brian, Linval, AJ, Prudence, Tia, Fernando, Chris and the others who have touched our lives. A Celebration of Mr. Newell’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Trinity Baptist Church with Pastors Les Hollon and Michael Fanning officiating. In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Trinity Baptist Church (you can designate a certain fund if you like), Youth For Christ of San Antonio or Alzheimer’s Association of San Antonio, 10223 McAllister Freeway, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78216.

Tributes

John Robert Newell

June 5, 1941 - April 21, 2017