1943 – 2023
Darrell John Edward Newsome was born April 9, 1943, to his parents, Norman Edward Newsome and Joyce Mary Newsome (nee Watts) in Calgary, Alberta. He grew up in Bearspaw, Alberta and attended school at Bearspaw, Glendale and Mount Royal College. He was involved in the family milk hauling business throughout his younger years and he started delivering milk when he was 17 years old.
He met the love of his life, Flora Katherine McGonigle in Cochrane, Alberta and they were married on July 8, 1967. They moved to Cremona in 1968 and, with his father, established Newsome Farms Ltd. Seizing an opportunity, Cremona Rock Products Ltd. was founded in 2000 and ran alongside the farm until 2015. Throughout his life, Darrell was an avid outdoorsman, loved music and had a great passion for farming and the farming community. Get-togethers with friends were constant and treasured.
Darrell and Flora raised their four children, Shannon, Karla, John and Rachel, on the farm in Cremona, Alberta where they were very active in the community. Darrell was a long-time Lions club, Cremona Community Hall board, Curling and Ag Society member and served on the volunteer Fire Department and as a Zone governor for Minor Hockey, to name a few.
Darrell survived many health challenges in his life, but they were met and conquered with the quiet, gentle dignity Darrell was known for. The great loves of his life were his family, farm and friends. His presence in their lives will be missed by all.
He passed away on November 5, 2023, at the age of 80 years old at the Myron Thompson Health Center (Sundre Hospital) with his family by his side.
Darrell is survived by his wife, Flora Newsome. His children, Shannon and Shaun Argent and their children, Mackenzie, Cassidy and Denton Argent. Karla and Steve Nielsen and their children, Alia, Sonya and Stefanie. John and Laura Newsome and their children, Ruby and Cole. Rachel and Adam Ross and their children, Jaxson and Eli. His brother and his sister-in-law, David and Elizabeth Newsome, his sister and his brother-in-law, Diana and Jim Rowan. Cousins, Fred Newsome, Evelene Newsome, Ken Newsome, (pre-deceased by cousin Peter Newsome) and many, many dear friends.
A memorial service was held on November 12, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the Cremona Community Hall. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Sundre Hospital Futures.
“God said, “I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper, then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board.” So God made a farmer.”
