John Newsom Ii

John Derrell Newsom II passed away on December 29, 2022 doing what he loved, hunting in one of his favorite deer stands in St. Gabriel, LA. He was born November 2, 1949 in Shreveport, Louisiana and soon thereafter moved with his family to Alexandria. His family moved to Baton Rouge when John was in the 8th grade, and he resided there until his departure at the age of 73.  John graduated from Robert E. Lee High School as part of the class of 1967 in the “top 83%”, as John would say.  He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Educational Psychology from LSU.  Early in life, John liked to spend his free time hunting, riding his motorcycle, and cutting off the tops of vehicles to turn them into convertibles. He also had a love of repairing and rebuilding Volkswagen and motorcycle engines on his mother’s dining room table.

In 1973, John married the love of his life, Susan Louise Cary, and they were blessed with three children. He spent his entire career in Louisiana, as a State employee retiring in 2010 with nearly 38 years of service.  Along the way he earned a Certified Public Manager certificate from governmental services. Throughout his life, John maintained his passion for hunting, fishing, anything to do with the outdoors. John was a lifetime member of the Tunica Island Hunting Club. He was also known for cooking Sunday morning brunch and Sunday evening dinner for his family and could often be found in his outdoor workshop spending time on various household projects.

Family vacations to the beach, mountains, and Disney World were treasured memories for John. He loved to sit in his chair with his grandchildren and great grandchildren; they were the apple of his eye, and he spent as much time as possible with them. John especially loved picking them up from school to take them to the convenience store to buy their favorite candy and Icees. While he was a big LSU fan, those games were nothing compared to the joy he found in watching his grandchildren at their various sporting events.

John is survived by his wife, Susan Newsom; children: Angela Newsom, Heather Newsom and Lindsey Nizzo (Ryan); grandchildren: John Christian Walker, John Bryce Newsom, Zoe Elizabeth Nizzo and Della Grace Nizzo; great grandchildren, John Grayson Walker and Richard Elijah Walker; brother, Michael Douglas Newsom (Amy) and countless family and friends who all hold his memory so dear, including his long-time hunting partners: his brother, Michael Newsom; nephew, Douglas Newsom; friends, Russell and John Ledoux, and especially his grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Derrell Newsom Sr and Eileen Zike Newsom; father and mother in law George Donald Cary and Lorraine Ward Cary; and his siblings, Susan N. Cantwell and Valerie N. Achee (Timothy).

John’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the LeDoux and Davis families.  A special thank you as well to Dr. Deumite for his special care over the years.

As a final thought from Johnny, “Hit it hard and hope!”

A visitation will be held January 6, 2023, from 9-11am with a memorial service at 11am at Resthaven Funeral Home. Memorial Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.