Micheal Ray Newcomb

On Friday, May 13th, 2022, Micheal “Mike” Ray Newcomb of Rockford, TN passed away unexpectedly at the age of 69. Born April 7th, 1953 to Effie and Ray Newcomb, he was the youngest of 5 children. A momma’s boy from the very beginning, he grew up and remained a resident of Tennessee for the entirety of his life where he proudly served his country for 22 years in the Tennessee Air National Guard Medical Unit. After many years in factory work, he spent the rest of his career at the Military Entrance Processing Station where he helped usher new recruits into their military career. His second home was the University of Tennessee where he worked over 30 years in the concessions department of the football, basketball, tennis, baseball, and softball teams. An avid Lady Vols basketball fan, but more so a Pat Summit fan, he hardly missed a home game. In fact, I am certain that right after Jesus, he sought her out next. Beloved by all who knew him, he was a man who never knew a stranger. He often joked that he should have been a bartender because he loved to meet and talk to new people. He loved the beach, traveling to new places, southern gospel music, and sweets. Not a meal went by without him asking the cook if he could “have a bite of something sweet”. I am certain that Nabisco will notice a drop in their sales of Oreos and that after he found Pat, he made his way to the cookie jar. His love for UT athletics and sweets was second only to his love for his family. He was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. Nothing made him prouder than the day he became a father, except for maybe when he became a grandfather. He often said he should have been a Papaw first. Spoiling his grandchildren was his favorite hobby and he was the happiest when he was spending time with them. Mike was preceded in death by his mother Effie, his father Ray, and brothers Johnny, Terry, and Buster. He leaves behind brokenhearted his son Michael and daughter-in-law Tammy, his daughter Brittany and son-in-law Travis, his grandchildren Gavin, Logan, Lilly, and Emmy, his sister Valerie, and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins. As he was a stubborn and sometimes ornery old man, Mike asked for no fanfare when it came time for him to leave this world. As such, we have respected his wishes by returning him home to the Lord with as little fanfare as possible. The family will be receiving friends at Smith Funeral Home, 1402 Tuckaleechee Pike in Maryville, TN on Saturday, May 21st at 1pm with a celebration of life service following at 2 pm. Flowers, donations and memorials can be made to the family through Smith Funeral & Cremation Service. 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Micheal Ray Newcomb please visit our Sympathy Store.