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The Pinecone
|
December 2016
• 7 •
Robert and
Brooxie
Newcomb
in 2008.
S P R E AD I NG CH R I S TMA S CH E E R
Robert
Newcomb
Robert was born in Joplin, Missouri, along with two sisters, Irene
and Mary Catherine. He graduated from Tech High in Memphis
and was always good at sports, especially football and softball.
He was a pitcher for the softball team!
His wife’s name was Brooxie and they had two children (a boy
and a girl), four grandchildren, and 3 great-grands. Robert was
employed for 47 years at the South Central Bell Telephone
Company (which eventually became Southern Bell). He was
drafted in 1940 duringWorldWar II where he served in the United
States Army.
Bob served in the military for six years; five of those years
overseas. He saw action in Africa, Sicily and Europe and took
part in the invasion of Omaha Beach. He was injured when
two convoy trucks pinned him down while backing up. He was
awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the European
Theater Medal.
Robert and Brooxie moved to Kirby Pines in April of 2001 and
were members of Mullins United Methodist Church in Memphis.
Brooxie was fun-loving and gregarious. She always had a smile
on her face! She enjoyed music, reading and especially dancing.
Brooxie passed away in 2010. With the help of his sisters, he then
began to make their beautifully “jeweled” Christmas trees. He
says the three of them just happened to see one somewhere and
fell in love with it. They have since made over 20 of them, many
of which have been given away.
Besides making trees, Robert also creates, angels, center pieces,
streamers and ornaments. His hanging, hand-made trees and
decorations can be seen throughout his apartment, his doorway
and even into the hallway. He has become an expected holiday
tradition by other residents in his corridor who look forward to his
festive display.
When asked what makes Christmas so special to him, he cites his
time in the Army during the second World War. They had been
surrounded in the Ardennes region of Europe for days during the
Battle of the Bulge. On Christmas Eve 1944, they made it out
safely. From that time on, Christmas has continued to be the best
time to celebrate and remember the good things the season brings.
In closing, Robert Newcomb loves life. He has an infectious sense
of humor and has family that call him every day just to talk a bit.
He is simply a treasured “jewel” here at Kirby Pines!
-
Jacqueline Besteman, Kirby Pines Resident
One of Robert’s beautiful jeweled trees.