Richard Newman

Richard A. (Ran) Newman, 94, passed away on Thursday, October 9th at Baylor, Scott & White Hospital in Brenham, Texas.

Ran was born in Houston, Texas on January 15, 1931 to Robert A and Rosalie Maresh Newman. During his early teens the family moved to Fort Worth and he graduated from Pascal High School. He then attended Texas A&M University in the proud Aggie class of 1953. This freshman class lived and attended classes on the old Bryan Air Force base because there was not enough space for them on the Main Campus. These sparce living conditions helped create a special bond among this class. This is where he received the nickname "Ran" and he has remained a proud Aggie.

After graduation as a Second Lieutenant, he joined and served in the Air Force. After his military service for several years he worked in a family business in Angleton, Texas. He then worked in the agricultural-chemical business doing field research, sales and management for companies in the Houston area. This territory included all of Texas, especially The Valley, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Ran lived in Houston and this is where he met and married Mary Ann Robinson in 1958. Of this union two children were born, Nancy Ann and Christopher.

After his retirement from the chemical business, he and Mary Ann moved to Brenham in 1979 where they bought and operated the Brenham Sausage Company. He sold this business in 1997 and began enjoying his retirement.

Ran was preceded in death by Mary Ann in 1987, daughter Nancy in 1981, sister, Mary Ann Smith, parents, parents-in-law and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

In 2001, Ran married a long-time friend, Evelyn Horton in Brenham. For the past twenty-four years they have enjoyed building a new home together, traveling, spending time at his beach house in Sargent, visiting old friends and clients attending family and Aggie reunions and functions, entertaining and participating in church and civic activities.

Ran was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church. His great grandparents held church services in their log cabin with a circuit riding minister. Ran's summers were spent at his grandparents farm and the Perry Methodist Church which as a young man his grandfather helped build. Ran still attended their yearly church reunion in June.

Ran loved to talk and never met a stranger. Some of his favorite times were hunting season at the deer camp and boating and fishing at the beach house. He was a 40 year member a the Rotary Club with several Paul Harris Awards. He was a Master Gardner, worked with HOST program tutoring students at Brenham Elementary, taught an Adult Sunday school Class and was a member of Methodist Men.

Ran was a collector- fishing gear especially rods and reels, rocks from every place he visited, antique books and Bibles, server spoons and family history.

For the past 7 years his lasts hobby was making walking canes from sotal bushes found in West Texas and handles from deer antlers. When he could no longer travel, two special friends brought him sotal sticks and deer antlers from their ranches in West Texas. He made and gave away about one hundred fifty walking canes sometimes almost forcing friends to take one.

Ran is survived by his wife, Evelyn Newman; son Christopher, beloved stepdaughter and husband Sherry and Andre Wells, nephews, Steve Smith, Rob Smith, Mark Smith and a host of cousins and friends and two special people that were like family, Mayra Holder and Pedro Zavala.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025 at First Methodist Church in Brenham with Pastor Mike Lindstrom officiating. A reception to follow in the Activity Center. At a later date a private family burial will be at the Methodist Cemetery in Phillipsburg.

If desired donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 408 N Baylor, Brenham; or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 S.W. 11th Ave. Amarillo, Texas 79101. Or any charity of your choice.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel located at 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, Texas. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.