Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Frank Douglas Newman, Elizabethton, born February 14, 1933, in Coral Gables, Fla., passed peacefully on January 21, 2024, in the comforting presence of his loving wife Gail and the caring staff of the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn.
Frank was preceded in death by his older sister, Betty Blaine, and his parents, Francis Douglas Newman Sr. and Elizabeth Louise Newman. Frank graduated from Coral Gables High School in 1950.
Among his many accomplishments, he was an Eagle Scout, he attended the Virginia Military Institute and the University of Florida and became a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. He then studied law at the University of Florida, graduating in 1957. While in law school Frank met the mother of his four sons, Lynn Brown (dec’d), and was married in 1956. In early 1967, Frank felt it was his patriotic duty and volunteered for active duty at the height of the Viet Nam war as a Captain in the U.S. Army Special Forces (the Green Berets). During his two-year deployment in Viet Nam, he was promoted to the rank of Major and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement and valor in the face of overwhelming and extreme combat conditions.
Upon returning from Viet Nam, Frank practiced law in Jacksonville, and then DeLand, Fla., where he met and ultimately married his beloved wife, Gail. Soon thereafter, Frank became a partner in a Miami law firm, where he spent the bulk of his law career.
In 2002, after practicing law for nearly 40 years, Frank and Gail decided it was time for him to retire, so they moved to the beautiful community of Elizabethton, Tenn. As an avid hiker and lover of the outdoors, Frank spent many days hiking the Appalachian Trail and other parts of the Smoky Mountains. Because Frank truly loved helping others, he opened a new law office in downtown Elizabethton, where he was quickly embraced by the local business and legal community. He was a lifelong, devout Episcopalian and faithful member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnson City, Tenn. Frank was also an active member of the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club. For his devotion to the development of his community, Frank was honored with the 2019 East Tennessee Foundation Citizen of the Year Award.
Frank is survived by his loving wife Gail; one daughter, Jan (Wayne) Waters; six sons, Scott (Juli) Newman, Wayne (Sharon) Raborn, Frank (Haika) Newman, Clint Raborn, Lee (Susan) Newman and Jimmy (Amy) Newman; 14 grandchildren, Chris Newman, Schafer Newman, Ellie Newman Sinatra, Natalie Newman Lock, Kelsey Newman Thomason, Jenna Newman, Jonathan Newman, Jack Newman, Max Newman, Lola Newman, Justin Waters, David Waters, Alexa Raborn Holley and John Michael Raborn; and seven great-grandchildren, Declan Newman, Sadie Newman, Ethan Waters, Nathan Waters, Hayes Holley, Harper Holley and Layton Lock. In addition, Frank is survived by his loving nieces, Katie Liverato and Mary Charles Scott.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for March 8, 2024 at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Laura Bryant officiating. The graveside service will follow at the Mountain Home National Cemetery at 3 p.m. Military Honors will be given by DAV Chapter 39 Honor Guard, Bluff City. For those who wish, Frank would be honored by donations in his name in care of the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website: www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is assisting the Newman Family.