N.M. (Tutie - Newt) Barham Jr. passed away peacefully in his home in Livingston, Texas on October 27, 2025 at the age of 95. He was surrounded by his family and left this life feeling loved and being prayed over.
Newt was born July 22, 1930 in Tahoka, Texas to Newton Milton Barham Sr. and Callie Dura Yates. He grew up on a family farm near West Point, Texas. His upbringing instilled in him value for family, honesty, generosity and hard work.
After graduating from Tahoka High School at the age of 16, he established himself as a successful young farmer. In January 1951, he joined the Air Force and became a highly trained Tail Gunner on a B-29 plane. He served our country honorably during the Korean and Cold Wars. His plane carried the Atomic bomb, and he never knew if this was the mission that would be his last, the one that would drop the bomb. Newt’s missions took him through 14 different countries and six bases, and earned him the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
The true anchor of Newt’s life, and his best friend, was his beloved wife of 72 years, Bobbie Jean Lee. He met Bobbie in Minden, La. while he was stationed nearby, and they were married on June 21, 1953 in Haughton, La. Together, they raised four children, Debra, Jonna, Charles and Traci. Their 72-year marriage is a testament to their rare and enduring partnership that was grounded in trust, communication, humor and most importantly, love.
After his military service, Newt returned to farming in Lynn County, Texas. As his family and financial needs grew, he joined the U.S. Postal Service in Brownfield, Texas. Everyone loved going to his “window” at the post office because he was always smiling and teasing his customers. Even while working in town, Newt continued to farm on the weekends, raising cotton, grain, and his famous watermelons. He was a playful, devoted father, known for his elaborate “snipe hunting” pranks, card tricks and annual fishing trips with his children. Newt was generous and loved giving away his homegrown watermelons and vegetables. He often gave them to the local food bank. This selfless character was also evident when he readily donated a kidney to help his brother, Bill Barham.
After retirement in 1991, Newt and Bobbie moved to Del Rio, Texas where they made countless friends and memories. They enjoyed fishing on Lake Amistad and owned Three Rivers RV Park for several years. In 2015, they moved to Livingston, Texas where they could be closer to their children, grandchildren, and by now great-grandchildren.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bobbie Barham; his daughters, Debra Jean Smith, Jonna Lynn Grizzle (husband Danny) and Traci Ann Barham (husband Tommy); his sister Hattie Jo Curry; his sister-in-law Janice Lorraine Roberts (husband Charles Douglas); brother-in-law Johnny Milton Lee (wife Elizabeth Faye); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Newton Milton Barham Sr. and Callie Dura Yates; his son, Charles Milton Barham; his grandson, Jay Anthony Vela; his great-granddaughter, Hannah Grace Grizzle; his son-in-law, Mitchell Vernon Smith; his sister, Callie Jean Blackard and husband Dolphus; his brother, Billy Newton Barham and wife Catherine; his brother, John Garner Barham and wife Violet; his brother-in-law, Jim Bob Curry.
Newt was buried in a graveside service on October 31, 2025 at Magnolia Hills Cemetery in Livingston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to one of the following organizations in honor of Newt (Tutie) Barham: Alzheimer’s Association or Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.
Cochran Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com.
