James Ray "Bo" Newby passed away on October 15th, 2023, at the age of 81 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia. James was the eldest of four sons born to Ray and Von Newby. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife Lillian Logan Newby. He is survived by his wife, Gladys M. Rodriguez, his brothers Michael and his wife Linda of Lindsay, OK, Ron and his wife Sandy of Marlow, OK, and Kevin and his wife Margaret of Tuttle, OK. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Leah, Andy, Julie, Josh, Kera and Kelsey and their families.
James was born April 17th, 1942, in Compton, CA and he attended grade school at Erin Springs, OK until the 4th grade when the school closed. He attended Lindsay grade school, junior high school and senior high school where he graduated in1960. He briefly attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater before returning to Lindsay and worked for Lynn Boyer Electric company. He married Lillian Logan in 1963 and also joined the United States Air Force on Dec. 2nd, 1963, and was honorably discharged on Dec. lst,1969. After returning to Oklahoma, James obtained a master's degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma. He and Lillian moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he worked briefly for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Tulsa while Lillian was a journalist for the Tulsa World newspaper. They both found employment in Washington D.C. James began a lengthy career at the Dept. of Agriculture, and Lillian was a press secretary for Representatives Wes Watkins and then Mike Synar. Lillian passed away in August of 1991. He married Gladys Rodriguez on Dec. 27th, 1996, and they made their home in Alexandria, VA. They shared many trips together such as an extended visit to Morocco, and his favorite spot in the United States, Port Reyes, CA. He was an avid amateur photographer and enjoyed the outdoors. His work accomplishments include being assigned to the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee, numerous times, to draft bills. He participated in countless budget meetings with various Secretaries of Agriculture, and he spearheaded and established an extraordinary number of programs, valued in the billions of dollars to ensure the vibrancy and sustainability of rural America. One of his last projects was to obtain funding for the new REC building south of Lindsay, OK. He was passionate about trying to help rural Americans. He retired as Chief of Staff for USDA's Rural Development Mission Area and for the Rural Utilities Service late in the Obama administration.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, November 8th. 2023, at Wooster Funeral Home Chapel in Pauls Valley, OK at 10:00 AM. Burial will be a private family only service. You may leave a remembrance or words of comfort for the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com