Grant Dean Newlin

Born March 5, 1948, in Roswell, NM to parents Clarence Bernie Newlin and Naomi Mary (Kidder) Newlin, Grant Newlin was the oldest of five children and was raised on the family cattle ranch 40 miles northeast of Roswell. Their family was a foster home to many children over the years. Grant was baptized into the Kenna Community Church. He attended his early school years at the old Elkins School. He graduated from Roswell High School in 1965, then attended NMSU in Las Cruces. Grant participated in a work-study program under the Physical Science Lab and tracked satellites in space. His first tour of tracking took him to Yellowknife, Northwest Territory, Canada, then to a station in Labrador, Canada. Next was a period at the Thule Air Force Base in Greenland. He attended school for 2 semesters before travelling to Manila, Philippines for his final assignment.

Upon graduation with degrees in secondary education and history, Grant worked various jobs in the Roswell area before securing employment with Kerr McGee Corporation in the uranium mines near Grants, NM. When those mines closed, Grant moved to Salt Lake City, UT to work in gold mines. Later he worked for a wallboard plant at Navajo, NM. Finally, he worked as an electrician for Peabody Coal Co, back in Grants, NM, until his retirement in 2013.

Grant married and divorced twice, but later met his fiancé, Flora Tillerson, the love of his life. They lived together until her death in 2020. Grant had no children but was always known for his kindness to kids.

Health and medical issues kept Grant close to home. He loved all kinds of music and enjoyed playing the guitar. He was a voracious reader, and liked mysteries and science fiction.

Grant was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Naomi Newlin; a brother, Ray Newlin; a brother, Walter Clarence Newlin, and his fiancé, Flora Tillerson. He survived by brothers Vern and Bern Newlin; sister Rosemary Thomas; sister Faunette Crymes; numerous nieces and nephews; and many beloved foster brothers and sisters. Special thanks to Pat Luna and Jackie Trujillo, the caregivers that allowed Grant to live his life out at home.

Honorary pallbearers are Vern Newlin, Bern Newlin, Michael Thomas, Ben Newlin, Josh Thomas, Jerry Maner, Manuel Vasquez, and Jerry Metcalf.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Grant’s name to the Baptist Childrens Home, PO Box 629, Portales, NM 88130.