James R. Newman, 74, of Marietta, Georgia, died peacefully Nov. 26, 2018, after an unexpected diagnosis of end-stage bone cancer.

Jim was born on Aug. 31, 1944, in LaGrange, Georgia, to James Gardner and Frankie Fling Newman. He was a proud graduate of LaGrange High School and the University of Georgia. Jim began his long career with Southern Bell in 1968, with a passion for politics leading to his position as a lobbyist for Southern Bell and later BellSouth at both the state and federal levels. Jim retired from BellSouth in 2000 and devoted his time to his family and volunteer work. He was a former board member of the Atlanta Zoo, the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the Cobb County Center for Children & Young Adults. Jim was also a former president of Leadership Georgia and served on citizen panel reviews for the Cobb County Juvenile Court.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lissa Gill Newman; sons, Gardner Newman II (LeAnn) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Chris Newman (Kim) of McLean, Virginia, Gus Newman of Arlington, Virginia, and Luke Newman of Atlanta, Georgia; siblings, Nancy Durand (Dan), Pete Newman (Dawn), Ruth Perdue (Phil) and Chunk Newman (Leigh), all of LaGrange, Georgia, and Ivy Jones of Greer, South Carolina; grandchildren, Thomas, Ella, Caitlyn, Landry and Will Newman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim is also survived by his first wife, Diane Parker Heydt of Sarasota, Florida, mother, of Gardner and Chris.

Jim will particularly be missed by his dogs, Jack and Watson, but not so much by his cat, Spit. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue, 3238 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144 or Mostlymutts.org in Jim’s honor.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2018, at the Carmichael Funeral Home, 1130 Whitlock Ave. in Marietta, to be followed by a reception at the Marietta Hilton & Convention Center, 500 Powder Springs Street in Marietta.

The family wishes to express special thanks for the loving care given to Jim by the nursing staff at Kennestone Hospital’s Oncology Department in his final days. Their gentle attention was so appreciated.