Ronald Newby

Ronald Bruce Newby, a beloved football coach, teacher and resident of Marlow, OK, died on April 14th, 2024 at the age of 75, surrounded by his loved ones after a hardfought battle with cancer.

Ron is survived by his wife, Sandy Newby; his children, Julie Harris (née Newby) and husband, Kirk, and Josh Newby and wife, Starla; his brothers Mickey Newby and wife, Linda, and Kevin Newby and wife, Margaret; his sibling-in-laws, Bobby and Vickie Foraker, Diane Hall (née Foraker), and Phillip Foraker; his nieces and nephews, Andy Newby, Leah Fields (née Newby), Kera Newby, Kelsey Newby, Keith Foraker, and Kevin Foraker; his grandchildren, Halston Harris and wife, Jill, Brock Harris, Blake Harris, Blayd Harris, Clay Newby, and Cameron Newby; and his great-grandchildren, Hollyn Harris, Halle Harris and Hudson Harris. Ron is preceded in death by his parents Ray and Von Newby, his brother, Bo Newby, his sister-in-law, Lillian Newby, and his nephews, Kyle Foraker and Barrett Hall.

Ron was born in Lindsay, OK, on April 8th, 1949 to Ray and Von Newby. He played football at Lindsay High School before going on to play for the East Central University Tigers. He graduated in 1971 with a degree in education, and together with coaching football, this became his life- long passion. While at ECU, Ron met the love of his life, Sandy. He caught her eye as the football team helped the freshman girls move into their dorms, and the rest was history.

Ron and Sandy married on January 7th, 1971 before moving to Davis, OK, where Ron began his career as a history teacher and high school football coach. On July 9th, 1972 and June 10th, 1975 respectively, the couple joyfully welcomed their two children, Julie and Josh, into the world. After 3 years at Davis High School and 5 years at Konawa High School, the Newby family put down roots at Marlow High School, where Ron worked from 1979 to 2013. Ron called Marlow home and was a devoted Outlaw fan for the remainder of his life.

Over the years, Ron was many things to many people. He was a loving son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. Many also knew him as Coach Newby, a passionate, intense, and devoted football coach, teacher, mentor and confidant. He was also a strong and faithful Christian, living his life and leading his family, students and athletes with a servant’s heart. In his personal life, Ron loved to travel with his wife, Sandy. They visited countless places throughout their marriage, but their favorites were Hawaii, Crested Butte, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon.

Ron was also an avid fisherman and loved bird hunting, especially ducks, quail and pheasant. He loved nothing more than to spend his days off at the family farm in Lindsay, working cattle and creating memories with the ever-growing generations of his family. Ron also made it a priority to spend as much time as he could with the people he loved, whether it was grabbing coffee at Hop-N-Sack with his friends in the mornings, taking his grandkids hiking at the Lawton Wildlife Refuge on the weekends, or cheering on his kids and grandkids from the stands at sporting events. One of the most influential roles Ron took on in his life was that of “Coach Newby.”

He was a leader of men, Newby both in his life and in his time as a coach. His longest and most remarkable coaching tenure was his 21 years at Marlow High School, where he was the head coach for 9 seasons and left a legacy that will be felt for generations. Coach Newby was passionate and demanded excellence from his players. He believed great players would be great, but the mark of an excellent coach was making the average players great, which he often did. In his time as a coach, he led his teams to 3 state championship appearances and in 2016, Marlow Outlaw Athletics dedicated the “Ron Newby Field House” in his honor.

Though he was a phenomenal football coach, his players often say they learned more about life from Coach Newby than they ever did about football, signifying the lifelong impact he left on his students and athletes. But above it all, Ron was a family man. The greatest days of his life were the days his two children were born. Ron, together with Sandy, raised them to be strong and faithful leaders of their own families, whom Ron cherished more than anything. His teachings, leadership, and love inspires each generation of his family. His son, Josh, and grandson, Brock, both teach and coach high school sports, and his daughter, Julie, went on to become an elementary school teacher and counselor, all following in Ron’s footsteps. He would often say, raising Josh and Julie, and watching them raise the grandkids, was his greatest and proudest accomplishment in life.

His favorite bible verse, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 reads, “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” Ron’s life was, indeed, simple, but his impact was extraordinary, touching thousands of lives. He will be missed greatly by his family, friends and every coach, teacher, student or athlete who had the pleasure of knowing him. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to all the nurses, doctors and staff at the OU Stephenson Cancer Clinic and Proton Cancer Center for their unwavering care for Ron.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to direct donations to “The Ron Newby Student Champions Memorial Scholarship Fund” so his legacy of impacting Marlow High School students may live on. Donations can be made to “The Ron Newby Student Champions Memorial Scholarship Fund attention Julie Harris” and mailed to 1101 S 7th St. Marlow, OK 73055.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on April 18th at First Baptist Church of Marlow. Dr. Joe Ligon will officiate. The family would like to meet and greet those attending the funeral from 12:00 to 1:00 P.M. in the foyer of the church.

“Big down right here, boys! Let’s go!” -Coach Newby (April 8th, 1949 April 14th, 2024)