James A. Newport

GRANBURY — James A. Newport, 49, Sgt First Class United States Army Retired, passed away Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 in Granbury.
Graveside service: 2 p.m. Friday in Acton Cemetery.
Our country lost one of her protectors. James wasn’t born in Texas but moved here as fast as he could. He was an avid restorer with a passion for British Armour. James owned a 1956 British Daimler Ferret “Mini Tank” which he used in many parades. Having served over 20 years in the Army, he loved as he would say “playing Army”. James survived two combat tours in Iraq but unfortunately he came home with unseen scars. His ribbons earned were: Meritorious Service Medal, Army commendation medal 2nd award, Army Achievement Medal 5th award, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Superior unit award, Army good conduct Medal 2nd award, Army reserve component Achievement Medal 2nd award, National Defense service Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Non Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon 2nd Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 3rd Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 year device Bronze hourglass, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with a “M” Device, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Adjutant General Individual Award 5th award, Texas Federal Service Medal, Texas Combat Service Medal, Texas Faithful Service Medal, Texas Cold War Service Medal, 102nd Combat Engineers Regimental Medal, Combat Action Badge 2nd award, Schützenschnur Medal (German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship), Presidential Unit Citation with 2 bronze oak cluster, Army Superior Unit Award with 2 bronze oak cluster, and Infantry Cord. He served for 20 years with two Combat Deployments with the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Military Intelligence Brigade and the 56th Brigade, Unit: 1/124 Calvary and Unit Charlie Co 3/144 Infantry in 2007.
He was a brave man who believed you didn’t have to move your feet to successfully dance while not spilling his beer. James was a compassionate animal lover, he was one cat away from being a crazy catman. He was a proud father who not only raised his daughter but five beautiful God-children.
Survivors: Mother, Carolyn Vecchio; daughter, Taylor Newport and fiancé, Javier Jurado; sister, Samantha Valosek and husband, Terry Valosek; nephew, Fox Valosek; and his fur baby cat, Floyd.