James Presnall Newberry Ii

James Presnall Newberry II was born May 17, 1940, in Washington D.C. to native Texans, Brigadier General James Presnall Newberry (USAF) and Patty Sims Newberry.

James, known as Jim or Captain Jim, had a love of travel and adventure early in life. Born to a military family that moved frequently, he would return to his grandfather’s farm every summer under the open skies of Bryan, Texas.  He alwys spoke of his life with great fondness.  As a young boy, his family lived in many places, including Washington D.C., Alabama, Texas, Germany, and Panama.  Consequently, he attended more schools than he could ever remember.  Despite a lifetime full of travel, it was because of the close relationship with his grandfather, Milton Walker Sims, that he considered Texas his home.

He was appointed to United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where many enduring friendships were formed.  As a student in 1960, Jim attended the Army Navy game whereby a stroke of luck he met his lifelong love, Mary Jane.  A wave and a wink are all it took to spark their courtship.  Jim and Mary Jane were married the day after his graduation at the US Naval Academy Chapel on June 8, 1963.  Jim was immediately commissioned and started his flying career in the United States Air Force and later with Delta Airlines for 31 years.

Upon his Delta career, Jim and Mary Jane settled in Dallas, Texas to raise a family.  During their 52-year marriage, Jim was active in commitments both in and outside of the home.  With an optimistic spirit and a contagious laugh, he wore many hats between flights.  He was a storyteller, he coached children’s soccer teams, he raised cattle on his grandfather’s land, and he could fix almost anything.  Jim was also an early adaptor of technology, which served as an invaluable tool for his family and his volunteer work.

As a devout Catholic, Jim was active in the church choir and was dedicated to serve others.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and recently was described as “a man that would always show up” and would “never say no”.  For over four decades, he raised money for countless charities and organizations; including Wadley Hospital, St. Rita Catholic Church, All Saints Catholic Church, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.  At Wadley Hospital, he and Mary Jane helped raise money for Leukemia and created elaborate decorations for charitable events.  Most recently at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton, Jim and Mary Jane started and led the Lenten Fish Fry for 11 years.  Jim’s dedication and spirit were always present, making friends wherever he went.

His flying career took his family across the world on countless adventures.  Mary Jane accompanied Jim on his flights to every major city in the US and Europe.  He would often say, the closest thing to flying was sailing, and voyaged throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South Pacific.  He taught his daughters the love of travel not only by air, but by sea.  After Jim retired, they bought a boat and created their own adventures on Lake Lewisville where he lived up to his reputation of Captain Jim.

Over the years Jim and Mary Jane adopted three families as their own who referred to him as Gramps: Jack and Lisa Theis, and children JT, Jake, Catherine, and Christina; Thuy Thai and daughter Daphne; Randy and Karen Markum, and daughter Paige.

On January 4, 2023, at the age of 82, Jim grew his own wings and took flight to be with his beloved wife Mary Jane, where he can continue his adventures.  He is survived by his daughters, Nancy Ann Newberry and Julie Sims Newberry; grandchildren Jenna Sims Newberry and Presnall Sims Newberry.  He will be profoundly missed by so many.  His joy of life and laughter will never be forgotten.

There will be a mass at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 26, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas with Rev. Bruce Bradley officiating.

Jim will be laid to rest at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Columbarium immediately follow the mass.  There will be a reception to follow the inurnment.

If desired, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the name of James Presnall Newberry II. https://www.stjude.org/