February 11, 1948, John L Newman was born in Rohwer, Arkansas, to John Newman and Margaret Henderson Newman. In 1954, his family moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he excelled at art in the Kansas City Kansas Public School District. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1966 and went on to receive a scholarship to the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio, where he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration before being drafted in 1970. After serving as a military policeman in the United States Army, he worked for Hallmark Cards for three years before deciding to return for a second degree, a Bachelor of Arts Education from the University of Kansas, in 1975. This same year, he met Joanna Leapheart who he would go on to marry on October 15, 1977. To this union two children were born, John Michael Newman in 1978 and Jamila Jani Lois Newman in 1979.
John would go on to teach junior high and high school for the Kansas City Kansas Public School District from 1975 to 1980 before returning to the University of Kansas where he finished a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1982. In 1987, he and his family left Kansas City for Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he taught in a local high school and served as an adjunct professor at Wright State University.
In 1990, John acquired a full‐time teaching position at the University of Arkansas‐Fayetteville where he remained until he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2013.
John was the recipient of numerous fellowships, grants, and commissions including the National Endowment for the Arts, Ford Foundation Scholarship, Visual Arts Fellowship, Kansas Arts Commission, Assistant in Collaboration Lithography, Ohio Arts Commission, Ohio Arts Council Summer Fellowship for Teachers of Arts, and the University of Arkansas African American Faculty Development Grant, the Silas B Hunt Award, and the Black Action Collective‐Dr. Margaret Sirman Clark Arts Award. He presented his artwork in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States, in Jamaica, and Macedonia. In 2010, John was named recipient of the Distinguished Cultural Award by the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education for his body of work documenting the Black American Experience. One of the most important teachings he imparted was that the artist must look deep inside to create authentic work that resonates with individuals and communities.
As a child, John and his family attended St. Peters CME Church in Kansas City, Kansas, where he was later baptized. Upon moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Newman family joined the Historic St. James Missionary Baptist Church where he was ordained and served as deacon.
He was preceded in death by his father, John, and mother, Margaret, and his maternal aunts, Bessie and Mildred Henderson, his nephews, Jeffrey Sheely and Vaughn Newman Jr, his paternal grandparents, Eric and Marceline Newman, his maternal grandparents, Percy Henderson and Sophia Bozman, and his great-grandmother, Charity Gordon.
John is survived by his wife of forty‐four years, Joanna L Newman, his children, John and Jamila, and his six siblings Herman Joe (Patricia) Newman, Diane Dotson, Vaughn Newman, Michelle (Patrick) Buckner, Virlee Newman, and Terry Newman. He also leaves behind, his aunt, Ora Lee Henderson, his brothers‐in‐law, Morris (Lucille) Leapheart, Dr. Willie Hardin, Herschel (Carolyn) Leapheart, Ronald (Tabitha) Leapheart, and Donald (Lissa) Leapheart, and sisters‐in‐law Willie Ethel (Jerry) McNeal, Tillie O’Neal‐Kyles, Mary Lois Hardin, and Rosalind Leapheart as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, March 28, 2022 at St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery.
Please accept our condolences for John Newman. I am a former student of John’s from the U of A. I consider myself blessed for having the opportunity to study and learn from John. John was gracious, kind, funny, and supportive of me and my family during my time in graduate school. He went out of his way to mentor and guide me during my journey in Fayetteville. I have fond memories of watching him work in the studio and learning from being in his presence. My daughter always called him “John John”. She was 3 when she first met him and he always laughed when she called him by that name. He wrote numerous letters of recommendation for me and I know I would not have been able to succeed in my profession without his support. I always think about him and know he is with the Lord now. We are praying for John’s family during this time of loss.
Sincerely,
David, Holly, and Lily Warren
John was a gifted artist, an inspirational teacher, and a wonderful human being. I am grateful to have been his colleague at the University of Arkansas and treasure my memories of seeing him working with students in the printmaking studio or sharing his thoughtful words of wisdom at a critique. My condolences to John’s wife and children, and all who mourn the loss of this truly amazing man. May his memory be a blessing.
To the Newman family, our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of mourning. Mr. Newman left a mark in his church, community, university and family. He would encourage me about being a parent and being patient with my children. I was trying to help him with his physical health but he would end up helping me with words of encouragement. He was a great father figure. Thank you, for setting the bar high Mr. Newman.
Dr. Gray and the Board of Trustees St. James Baptist Church.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Newman’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dear Mrs. Newman and children, I was thinking about my time as an artist at Hallmark this evening (early 70s), and John came to mind and I decided to Google him. I am so sorry to read of his passing. I wish I would have thought to Google him sooner so I could have gotten in touch with him. I was the youngest one in the department and John was kind enough to shoot baskets with me at a nearby park on our lunch breaks from time to time. It was so interesting to read about all he accomplished in his lifetime. And how great to read that he was a deacon! His artwork was very unique. Sounds like you two had a great marriage,to be married for nearly 45 years. I can imagine how much you miss him. I’ll be praying for you. From, Beth (Barritt) Wiechman
John Newman was a wonderful man and teacher. He was patient and kind.He was a wealth of knowledge in the printmaking classes I took from him. He was a man who had incredible talent when I got the pleasure of seeing his work. I hope his family knows how loved and adored he was. Much love.
To Joanna and family, you all have our deepest sympathy . My cousin John D had a beautiful spirit. When my Brother and I would come to Kansas City in the summer to visit my Aunt Katherine an uncle Ernest back in the 70’s …… John D. Would come over an picked my brother and I up , we would be so happy . John D. Would give us the best time…… We will always remember Our cousin John D. Loved Vicky and Paul Rancifer an Family.
In times like this the regret felt most of all is that of wishing we had more time together. John was a dear friend and colleague. Although we both had a passion for the fine arts, art was not a subject during our many exchanges. We talked about family in general, and our own kids in particular. A particular memory is the time we spent at an arts center in Vermont. We shared regularly scheduled long walks, hiking and exploring the Vermont wood, joining in pick-up basketball games (when we were relatively young men), and just hanging-out laughing. While it was the arts that brought us together, regular “life’s” stuff allowed us to bond as friends.
Be assured John that the lives you touched are much better because of you.
Condolences to the John L. Newman Family
Aj Smith and Marjorie Williams-Smith
Joanna,
I just read about John‘s passing. Memories immediately flooded back of meeting him while admiring his art at the Walton arts Center and also of your and my days as colleagues at the University. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. As Theodor Geisel once said, “don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”
Mr. Newman was one of my absolute favorite and influential professors at the University of Arkansas, and I am ever so thankful to have been his student. He and his lovely wife, Joanna, were our chaperones on our BFA trip to New Orleans (one of my most memorable trips) and he kept up with our craziness in stride! My friend and I even picked out special rocks when we made a stop on our way, and we methodically picked out one for everyone on our bus. Each one was given for a specific reason, and I know his was for being such an awesome teacher and mentor, and all around AMAZING person. Much love and light to you all. Heaven has certainly gained an incredible angel who will for sure be missed in this world. Thank you for your guidance and passion. Until then, rest in paradise Mr. Newman ❤️❤️❤️
Reginald (Reggie) Rancifer and the entire Rancifer family share in mourning the transitioning of our family member who was affectionately known as John D. Although some of us are unable to attend the services, please know we are with you in our hearts. Joanna, you and your family are in our prayers now and forever. John leaves behind a beautiful and an unforgettable legacy. May His Peace be with you til we meet again.
My condolance to the newman family he will be missed no more worrys no more pain born again
God bless🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 my heart goes out to you all.
Peace be with you
Newman Family,
We are sorry to see about the passing of John.
My mother, Kathryn Young, was a nurse at Providence Hospital in KCK for many years. On her retirement from there she worked as a nurse at Kaw View, where she met John. She loved working with John and thought the world of him. I was also fortunate enough to meet John a time or two. In the late 70s or early 80s she purchased a couple of limited prints of John’s drawings which she proudly displayed in her home. She and my father have been gone for a number of years and we are now lucky enough to have them in ours. My children (now in their 40s) love these because they remind them of Grandma’s house which, as I’m sure you know, is always the most special place on earth.
I just wanted you to know that John was and will continue to be a part of our family and that his art touches people in ways you may never have imagined.
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew John when he was working on a mural upstairs at Jefferson School and I was director of Adult Education. Going upstairs to look at his progress was something I always looked forward to.
He was such a talented and kind man.
I am sorry to hear this news so late. My condolences to John’s family, from whom I learned so much. I always remember him.