A Life Story

James A. Newbrey passed away on December 2. He was born in 1936 in Washington Court House, Ohio to Arch H. and Nell K. Newbrey. Upon graduation from Washington High, he attended Ohio University and Wilmington College where he obtained his degree in Economics. Immediately upon graduation, Jim began his 37+ year career with the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company (PPG Industries). He also enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for 6 years, including being recalled to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1961, Jim married his hometown sweetheart, Joyce Hamilton Newbrey, and they had 37 cherished years together. As a management trainee, Jim initially worked in Cincinnati, assisted in opening a new location in Huntington, West Virginia, and then moved to Middleton, Ohio as a Branch Manager. After a leave of absence to pursue his MBA from The Ohio State University, Jim and Joyce moved to Pittsburgh which began a series of moves including San Francisco, Dallas, and Toronto with returns to Pittsburgh between each move. His assignments included Zone Glass Sales Manager, Glass Group Director of Marketing, and Vice President/General Manager Canadian Pittsburgh Industries. After his final return to Pittsburgh, he headed Construction and Distribution, and then Fiber Glass Textile Products with locations in Pittsburgh, North Carolina, England, the Netherlands, and Taiwan. Just before retirement in 1996, Jim and Joyce built a home at the Landings and then moved to Savannah where they enjoyed golf, good friends, and travel. Jim counseled small business at SCORE for several years and served on a number of committees for the Landings Club. Jim was a loyal Ohio State Buckeye fan and was not available any day that the Bucks were playing football. UGA was his southern team unless they played OSU, and then he supported his Bucks. Jim was a member of Skidaway Island Methodist Church. Jim was predeceased by his wife, Joyce, his parents, Arch and Nell, and his sister, Jennifer. He is survived by his sons, Eric (Nancy) of Augusta, Georgia, Tom (Laurel) of Charlotte, North Carolina, two grandchildren, Caitlyn and Jacob of Augusta, and his long-time companion, Louise Ferrante. A memorial service will be held at 3pm on December 8 at Skidaway Island Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 2 pm. He will be interred with his wife, Joyce, in the church's Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations to Tunnels to Towers or Skidaway Island Methodist Church would be appreciated. The family wishes to thank Georgia Hospice Care and Coastal Care Partners for their loving care of Jim in his final months.