James Earl Newman, Sr., 72, of Hendersonville passed away on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Elizabeth House after 4 years of steadily declining health.

A native of Henderson County and raised in Balfour, he was the son of the late Harry and Jessie Newman. Earl had a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Montreat College. He owned and operated “Earl’s Plumbing Service” for years and retired from his role of Public Works Supervisor for the town of Laurel Park but continued to work part time for Home Depot until his health declined. A veteran of the United States military, Earl was a Navy Seabee and also served in the National Guard. He was a former member of the Henderson County Rescue Squad, EMS (Rescue Diver) and President of the Rural Water Association. Above all else, Earl loved God, his family, bowling at Tarheel Lanes, and watching football and college basketball (UNC Tarheels). He was a member of Balfour Baptist Church.

Earl is survived by his wife of 49 years, Harriet Juanita Newman (née Osteen); daughter, Teresa Denise Tahu and her husband, Marinus Tahu; son, James Earl Newman, Jr. and his wife, Glenda Louise Newman; and two grandsons, James Earl Newman, III and Jacob Arthur Newman.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in the chapel of Shuler Funeral Home, 125 Orr’s Camp Road, Hendersonville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at 12:00pm. Interment will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park.

The family asks guests to feel comfortable in wearing colorful clothing for this celebration. Carolina Blue is especially preferred!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Seasons Foundation, 211 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or online at www.fourseasonsfdn.org .