Sergeant Newman Jr.

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GARY L. NEWMAN JR. August 13, 1977 - October 06, 2013 SFC Gary L. Newman, Jr. was born in Forth Worth Texas on August 13, 1977. He attended Martin High School and graduated in 1996. Gary later worked for the Salvation Army in McAllen, Texas where he opened the Homeless Shelter and became corps helper and administrative assistant to Major and Mrs. Dan New. He later attended The Salvation Army College for Officer Training in Alanta, Georgia and was commissioned as a Captain on June 2002. His first appointment as a corps officer was in Plano, Texas. In January 2005, Gary and Claudia resgned as Salvation Army Officers and Gary began to explore opportunitys to serve his country in the U.S. Military. Sergeant First Class Gary L. Newman, Jr., entered the United States Army on April 26, 2005. After graduation from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, SFC Newman was assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served as a Combat Construction Foreman and later to the Group Support Battalion as a Carpentry/Masonry Sergeant. After four years, SFC Newman was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as a Reconnaissance Sergeant. On November 7, 2012, Sergeant First Class Newman was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Special Operations Command, where he served as a Squadron Engineer. SFC Newman has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. SFC Newman has completed the following military courses: Basic Airborne Course, Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Jumpmaster Course, Antiterrorism/Force Protection Level II Course, and the Combat Skills Course. SFC Newman's military awards and decorations include the following: Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/4 Bronze Service Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and 6 Overseas Service Bars. SFC Newman is survived by his wife, Claudia, his daughters, Jada, Kalie, and Sarah, his Dad, Arturo Gallegos and his mother, Cheri Gallegos. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 10 a.m. to noon at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel, 1410 Jacaman Rd. A Private Cremation will be held at a later date. You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.