Craig Alan Newman

(February 21, 1967 ~ January 20, 1982)

Craig Alan Newman, son of Joe Dell Newman and Sharyl Lee Ann Holmes, buried in Buffalo Gap Cemetery, Buffalo Gap, Taylor County, Texas.

Craig's School Activities

No ruling given in hanging death

TUSCOLA - A 14-year-old boy was found hanged in a shed behind his Tuscola area farmhouse Wednesday, said Sheriff's Capt. Gary Lightfoot.

The boy, Craig Newman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Newman of Route 1, was found hanging from a rafter in the shed by a six-foot cotton rope tied around his neck about 1 p.m., Lightfood said.  Justice of the Peace Frank Lockman pronounced him dead and will rule on cause of death.

Lighfoot said it appeared the boy climbed a ladder unto the shed's rafters.  Cuts on his back indicated he scraped the rafters during his descent, he said.

Sherriff's Capt. Mike Smith said it appeared to be an accident because the boy had placed a sweater between his neck and the rope.  Smith said somebody attempting to kill themselves would not have been that careful.  He also said the rope was not fastened tightly to the rafters.

He was found by his sister, Stacey, after he failed to return home for lunch.  He had been chopping wood  Lightfoot said.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Tuscola United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Wayne Burkey will officiate.  Burial will be in Buffalo Gap Cemetery, directed by Fry Funeral Home.

Born Feb. 21, 1967, in Yuma, Ariz., he moved with his parents to Tuscola while he was an infant.  He attended Jim Ned Junior High School in Lawn and played seventh and eight-grade football.  He was active in the band and in Boy Scout Troop 219.

Survivors include his parents; two sisters, Darlla and Stacey, both of the home; two brothers, Glenn Fossett and Martin Fossett, both of Scotsdale, Ariz; his grandparents, Mrs. Beatrice Hefner of Leaday and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Holmes of Yuma, Ariz; and several aunts and uncles.

Pallbearers will be Jim Conley, Eddie Edwards, Keith Davis, Richard Milligan, Tarcy Winegeart, Casey Chambers, Buddy Tatum and Scott Evans.