Birth date: Feb 16, 1948 Death date: Aug 13, 2016
Dear Friends and Family, Our father Jim Newmeyer passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 13, 2016 as a result of heart failure. This world has lost a unique, compassionate, and incredible man. He lived his life with tremendo Read Obituary
Rest in peace Jim. Thank you for being my friend for 38 years!
The Jim Newmeyer, I knew, was a man of many parts. A man who was a Law unto Himself. Not one to cower or yield, he worked to help the weak and the defenseless.
I can clearly remember how he went about advising and helping a young employee of his company (Ana Perez) to get representation to reach a settlement after her husband was killed in an accident on the Palmetto Highway.
How he assisted a Coach whose son was in jail and Andy the young man he was currently assisting to get into college. Three years ago while I was still working for Jim, I recall he had me put together 30 portfolios of Andy’s vital statistics with photos
showing Andy in many football poses. Jim sent these out to all the coaches he knew, hoping that he could help Andy get a scholarship. Jim was always trying to give the little guy a 'break’. His heart was big and his generosity was boundless. He was a man of great determination and strength. He was very smart and had the know-how to do whatever he wanted.
But above all this, Jim cared immensely for his family and his life mission was to see his children have the education they needed to obtain a good life. This he achieved.
Jim passing was sudden and untimely, and for those who knew him, his passing will not only be a great loss but will leave a vacuum in the hearts of those who were close to him.
Jim travelled the journey of life WELL and is now at rest. Rest in Peace, Jim.
To his Family: May God Bless you with his loving Grace and Comfort you all.
Love,
Val Chin
To Coach Newmeyer's children: As you said in his beautiful obituary, there is now a great void in your family that will always, painfully, be there; I wanted you all to know that there will also forever be a huge hole in the heart of South Miami Senior High's first ever graduating Class of '73, now that our beloved coach and teacher has passed away. We were then a VERY close knit group of people who enthusiastically started that school, and very many of us have remained in close touch these past 43 years since. The news of Coach Newmeyer's death has sent countless texts and Facebook posts throughout our class, as many of us are shocked and saddened with the news of his passing.
You have known him and loved him as your Dad, I but wanted you to know a little of the guy who shaped us during our high school years that you might not know much about. First of all, he was not too much older than we were at the time, I think being not too long out of college himself, when he accepted the job at SMSH. So, with that boyish grin, that shiny, somewhat shaggy blonde hair, and his charm ... every girl in the school had a huge crush on Coach Newmeyer and fought to get into his Government and Vocabulary classes! He was THE teacher to have, he kept us interested in what he was teaching with his wit and he respected our opinions when we'd get into discussions about current events in his classes, and if memory serves, didn't give a lot of homework either! He drove a small red convertible that I believe was an MG, but might have been a Triumph, either way it was a VERY cool car and I remember many an afternoon, as I would be walking to my car after school, seeing him actually JUMP into his car (with the top proverbially, down) not bothering to open the door.
I was lucky enough to "work for him" one semester of my senior year ... he had office hours during one class period a day in the coaching office, and I happened to have a hole in my schedule at that same time, so I was his office aide, which consisted mostly of filing papers for him, and taking hall passes out to classrooms to summon football players to his office for meetings. Not a bad gig at all! He was always interested in all of us kids, and would listen, genuinely listen, to us when we came to him with problems with our studies, peer pressures, college plans, etc. ... his counsel was always thoughtful and wise, but never patronizing. He was easy to talk to, stern when we needed it, but most importantly, sympathetic and empathetic to our situations. I was a cheerleader and so also can closely recollect his dedication to the boys on his football team and the thrill he always seemed to get when he saw them thrive and achieve a goal.He would pass by the cheerleaders on the sidelines during games and ALWAYS give us a smile and a thumbs up and a "Good job tonight, girls" ! He was indeed one of those teachers who I'm sure all of us (*who are now, unbelievably, hitting "60") will always remember, when others have slipped out of our memorys over the years.
A little over 10 years ago I had a bout with breast cancer. I guess somehow Coach Newmeyer found out about it through the grapevine and was able to find my email address from a Class of '73 Reunion bulletin. He wrote me a lovely and very encouraging email that was a such special gift to me just when I needed it. About 8 years ago, he surprised us by attending a breakfast at a class of '73 reunion. When he strolled into that room the place erupted in cheers! I'm so thankful now, to have shared that little slice of time with him that morning. I am running out of characters here, but wanted to make sure you knew what a big part your dad played in a group of some, now OLD peoples', young lives. I hope that that can somehow bring even a small degree of comfort at this sad, sad time.I'd love to attend his service and meet you all in person, but I live in ATL and cannot get away. You are in my prayers. Love, Dodi DuBreuil Mace
went to south miami and always was a class act !! was a good friend
doug evans aka hawkeye
