Keith L. Newman
(November 23, 1923 - April 7, 2012)

KEITH L. NEWMAN, long-time, prominent Huntington attorney, died Saturday, April 7, 2012 following a lengthy illness. He was born in Huntington Nov. 23, 1923, the son of Edgar P. and Lenora Lewis Newman. He graduated from Huntington High School and Marshall University. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan, where he was on the Law Review and from which he graduated in 1949. He was a member of the Florida and West Virginia State Bars and practiced law in Huntington for 58 years, from 1949 to 2007. At one time he was the oldest member of the Cabell County Bar. He served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cabell County under three different prosecutors. He was perhaps best known as one of the region's most outstanding trial lawyers, often representing the downtrodden and indigent. Throughout his life he defended the underprivileged and victims of discrimination. He served for years as a statewide trial examiner for unemployment compensation. He was an avid golfer and tennis player and former member of Guyan Golf and Country Club and the Huntington Tennis Club. He was a staunch supporter of Marshall University athletics and a long-time member of the Big Green Club, often following the Herd on the road for football and basketball games. He had an inquisitive and perceptive mind, open to new experiences and knowledge, taking graduate level courses in English literature long after receiving his law degree. He was a loyal and dependable father, brother, uncle, godfather, and the most loyal of friends. He was a great story teller, bringing fun and laughter to those around him. He will be sorely missed, but leaves memories that will last forever. He is survived by a daughter, Jacqueline Dru Dewald, son-in-law Peter Dewald, a brother, James E. Newman of Homosassa, Florida, and his wife, Betty, nieces Jennifer Hughes Mellert and husband Gene of Huntington, Anne Newman Bushnell of Lancaster, Pa., and Nancy Newman Carter of Kerrville, TX, nephews Rev. Jim Hughes of New York and James Newman Jr. of Orting, WA., and two godsons, Chris and Joel Hatfield of Huntington. Visitation will be held Monday, April 9 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary; funeral services Tuesday at 1 p.m., also at the Mortuary, followed by graveside services at Woodmere Memorial Park. The family wishes to thank Regina Prater and all the caregivers at Huntington Health and Rehabilitation for the care given to him during his lengthy stay there. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of Huntington or the Big Green Club at Marshall University.