John Newell

John Charles Newell, 76, died peacefully on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026. John was born on July 29, 1949, in Mason City, Iowa, to Willard Charles (Chuck) Newell and Marian Yvonne Schmidt Newell.

John grew up in Mason City, Iowa, where he attended Holy Family Parish and graduated from Newman High School in 1967. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas (now the University of St. Thomas) in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1971, and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1974.

Following several years in legal practice, John devoted much of his career to aerospace and defense contracting, contributing to major defense programs through his work with Vought Aircraft in Grand Prairie, General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Tracor Aerospace in Austin, and Continental Electronics in Dallas, including as assistant general counsel. Aviation remained a lifelong passion, and he especially enjoyed Blue Angels air shows and watching flight operations from Founders’ Plaza at DFW Airport.

John retired from General Dynamics Land Systems in 2013 and enjoyed many happy years with his family. Among his favorite pastimes were reading at the Grand Prairie Memorial Library, traveling, and supporting Texas Rangers baseball.

On January 7, 1984, John Newell married Rosie Fee, and together they recently celebrated 42 years of marriage. He loved his sons, Matthew and Brandon, more than life itself. He was very proud of both of them.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Marian Newell.He is survived by his wife, Rosie Newell of Grand Prairie, Texas; his son Matthew John Newell of Silver Spring, Maryland; his son Brandon Kyle Newell of Grand Prairie, Texas; his brother Lawrence R. Newell of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; his sister Joan M. Farrell of Lebanon, Tennessee; his nephew T. J. Farrell; and many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

We dearly love and miss John, but we are consoled that he no longer suffers and we commend him to his Savior, Jesus Christ. We are deeply grateful for John’s love and devotion to his family, and will cherish his memory as we await our reunion.