Lawrence Areon “Butch” Newman, Jr., age 83 of rural Kirksville, Missouri passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at his home.

Butch was born December 19, 1941, the son of Lawrence Areon “Lonnie”, Sr. and Virginia (Barger) Newman in Kirksville, Missouri.

On May 13, 1972, Butch was united in marriage to Helen Louise Dyer at the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville. They enjoyed over 52 years in this union.

Surviving Butch are his wife, Louise, his son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Hayley Newman and his grandson, Lucas Areon Newman. His sister, Patty and her husband, Jerry Byrn and nieces and nephew, Lisa (Robert) Athon, Lora Lea (Rob) Robinson, Justin (Megan) Coy, and Jennifer O’Brien, along with great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Richard Coy. Butch was raised northwest of Brashear, Missouri where he attended the New Zion Rural School until the eighth grade when he transitioned to Kirksville High School, graduating with the Class of 1959. He spent his entire life east of Kirksville row-crop farming, working closely with his wife and son. Many summers, when he was not farming his own crops, he could be found making his way out West with his John Deere combine on wheat harvest with his family in tow. He worked for many customers throughout Kansas and Colorado. Over his many years of wheat harvest, he made many customers life-long friends. Combines were not just equipment to him; they were a way of life. Butch spent many hours working on his own equipment and that of others in the shop in the off-season. He especially enjoyed welding and an occasional visit from a neighbor or customer. Butch’s passion of working the land and with his hands in the shop were trades he was proud to have passed down to his son who always worked alongside him. He was especially happy spending time with his grandson Lucas and enjoyed having company, giving all who visited a hard time and sharing stories and laughter.

In May 1966, Butch learned he was in kidney failure and his only chance at surviving was a kidney transplant. In July 1966, in Denver, Colorado, his sister Patty gave him the gift of life when she served as donor with a nearly perfect match, a gift Butch took care of and by which he was greatly humbled.

He was a member of the Sabbath Home United Methodist Church, a 50-year member of the Kirksville Moose Lodge #1750, a 50-year member of the Kirksville Lodge #105 A.F & A.M. in Kirksville, a member of the York Rite Masonic bodies, the Moila Shrine Temple at St. Joseph, Missouri. He was active in the Fairview 4-H Club and showed cattle at the NEMO Fair.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 28, 2025 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Darrell Draper and Pastor Jim Maxey officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the Parkview Memorial Gardens in Kirksville.

A public visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2025 in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with a Masonic service at 6:00 p.m.

Memorial donations in memory of Butch may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital. Donations may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.