John H. Newby Jr.,PhD
John H. Newby Jr. was born on November 23, 1938, to John and Elzena Newby in Norfolk, Virginia. John was always, affectionately called “Boo Boo” by his family. He was called to his heavenly home on January 26, 2021, while surrounded by his two loving daughters-Kimberly Wells and Amy Collier.
Growing up in Norfolk, he was the fifth of seven children. His father ran a successful fruit and vegetable stand, and grocery delivery business. John and his siblings would help in the business after school.
He received his early education in the public schools of Norfolk, Virginia. He loved to study and play the trumpet. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School, he spent his undergraduate years at Norfolk State University and Howard University. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degrees from his beloved Howard University. During his undergraduate and graduate years at Howard, John was a member of the Army ROTC and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
He joined the United States Army, after graduation from Howard University, and began his distinguished military career. It was at Howard where he met his wife, Beulah Murrell, from Winston Salem, NC, who also studied Social Work. He was active in the civil rights movement, having the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. After the birth of their first child, Kimberly, the family moved to Germany where they spent three years and had their second child, Amy. On his tour of duty in Germany, John learned to ski and went on to become an avid skier.
After several deployments across the United States, the family settled in the Maryland/DC area where he studied and received his PhD in Social Work from Catholic University, in 1973. His many military assignments included serving as the Assistant Director of the Department of Military Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, the Director of Human Resources at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Chief of Social Work at two teaching hospitals. His research, publications and leadership positions included a focus on improving race relations in the army, child and drug abuse prevention, HIV prevention and its impact on the African American community and addressing stress and trauma in the military. He also served as a professor at Howard and Catholic Universities.
John retired from active duty in 1991, after twenty-seven years in the U.S. Army. He rose through the ranks of military service and achieved the esteemed rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Post retirement, he traveled the world spending time with family and friends. He also served as a civilian contractor through the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, until his official retirement.
His spiritual life was a large part of who he was as an individual. He was a part of the youth group at his church as a child, and continued to honor God as an usher in the chapel at Howard University and the chairman of the board at Dr. Martin Luther King Community Church in Columbia, MD. Later, he served faithfully in several lay ministry roles at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and the Chapel at Knollwood Military Retirement Community. At St. Margaret’s he was also passionate about assisting with the parish’s homeless meal program and annual “rummage sale” fundraising event.
He was a lover of music, particularly classical and the opera, and he enjoyed playing the guitar and piano. He also enjoyed cooking and collecting artwork and antiques.
John is survived by two daughters Kimberly Wells (Benjamin) and Amy Collier (Wayne); five grandchildren, Kelli Coleman, Dymond Wells, Jordan Wells, Austin Collier, and Chelsea Collier; one brother George Newby; one aunt Lillian Moore; his faithful friend Beulah Newby, as well as a host of relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents John and Elzena Newby; his brothers Henry Moore, Melvin Moore, and Leander Newby; and his sisters Dorothy Sharpe and Lillian Moore.
He touched the lives of many people through his unyielding willingness to give his time, support and words of encouragement. John was a humble inspiration to many, and will be greatly missed- but never forgotten.
