Gavin E. Newsom

Born in Michigan November 17, 1937, son of David and Jessie Cosgrove Newsom, Gavin was always a better listener than talker. Listening was his passion; actually hearing what was said, and guiding from what he heard, was his gift from God.

But oh my, when he did choose to speak it was fascinating. Stories of riding cows in his youth, experiences of his calling as a Trappist Monk whilst a young man, his work with hypnotherapy as a social worker then director of social work at the Menninger Foundation… when Gavin talked, it was always worthwhile to listen.

Gavin had a passion for garage sales and collecting… from cars to radios to power tools to watches, he always had a tool of some sort in his hand. If you wanted to find him, he was always tinkering in the garage or had parts strewn across the dining room table. Gavin also had quite the fondness for hats. One would never be surprised to find him with a quirky hat on his head, and in later years also a parrot on his shoulder.

His wife, Sondra Hammons Newsom, and son David E. Newsom, preceded him in death. His daughter-in-law Annette and two grandsons Cole and Kyle, still visited often, and made him smile and laugh. We spent hours listening to Gavin reminisce about his beloved extended family in the Far North and Deep South. Gavin died June 2, 2016, and we will miss him.

Inurnment next to Sondra at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas, will be June 21, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. Memorial contributions to the Cole & Kyle Newsom Education fund and condolences to his family may be sent c/o T.J. Leising, PO Box 5611, Topeka, KS 66605.