Donavon R. Newcomer

   Donavon R. Newcomer, 96, formerly of Findlay, Ohio, passed away in Chula Vista, California on Monday,

   January 30, 2023.

   "To whom much is given, much is expected" (JFK and Luke 12:48)

     Don is survived by his niece Judy Garbosky, and nephews Phillip Newcomer (Sheryl), Bill Newcomer

     (Lynn), Vaughn Newcomer (Nancy), and David Newcomer (Stephanie).  Great nieces and nephews;

      Daniel Newcomer (Patti), Heather Hunt (David), Brian Newcomer (Rachel), Stacy Ruiz (Cesar), Matt

      Newcomer (Terri), Katie Newcomer, Stephen Newcomer (Adreinne) and his great great nieces and

      nephews.  Don was forever grateful for lifelong friends Gary and Imelda Andricks, Bob Phipps, and

       his life partner Jeff Sprankle.

       Don was preceded in death by his parents Merritt D and Bernadine (Carr) Newcomer and his

       brothers, Merritt Carr (Evelyn) and Gerald (Mary) Newcomer.

        Don Newcomer served the blind population of NW Ohio as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

        for a total of 20 years after graduating from Bowling Green State University with a MEd degree in

        Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Education in 1968 on a federal scholarship. He obtained his

        undergraduate degree (BFA-1950) by taking advantage of the liberal GI Training Program at OSU

        and Mexico City College, later known as the College of the Americas.

        Born July 16, 1926, Don was the youngest son of Merritt Donavon and Bernadine (Carr) Newcomer,

        he graduated from Findlay High School in 1944, and joined the US Navy on his 18th birthday of

        that year. His two older brothers, M. Carr and Gerald Newcomer, also served in the Navy during

        WW II. At the Newport Naval Training Center, Newport, R.I., Don was assigned to shore duty in the

        Administrative Offices (now a museum) on the basis of his HS transcript, only. There he served

        in administrative assignments until he was separated in July, 1946, following the end of the war

        in 1945. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the American Area Campaign Medal. In 2002, a 

        historian with the Newport Daily News wrote about the unique circumstances of F 2/C Newcomer

        being assigned to the only private room in the historical Administration Building, a room which was   

        originally used in 1876 as the area's "poor house".

        In 1968, following his graduate studies at BGSU, Don's internship program was at the Betty Jane

        Memorial Rehabilitation Center in Tiffin, OH, that resulted in his being contracted as the

        Administrator of their Vocational Evaluation Program for clients with all disabilities and of varied

        severity. The State of Ohio's Rehabilitation Services for the Visually Impaired recruited Don to

        become a supervisor for that agency, but he opted to work more closely with the blind clients as a

        one-on-one vocational counselor/coordinator and advocate of services for that special population

        throughout Northwest Ohio. Countless unemployed visually impaired persons became employed.  

        Prior to his career working with the severely disabled, Don lived in Norfolk and Hampton, VA,

        where he taught in two city high schools and for the University of Virginia from 1956 to 1966.

        He taught all levels of high school and adult classes at night. In 1966, he was awarded the Federal

        traineeship at BGSU and, therefore, moved back to Ohio where he remained until his retirement

        in 1992. Upon Don's retirement, he moved to Chula Vista, CA, adjacent to San Diego,

        in June of 1992.

        Don loved all animals and was a member of PETA and ASPCA. Please consider a memorial

        contribution to an animal friendly group or local Humane Society of your choice.

        A graveside service will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, 1120 West Main Cross Street,

        Findlay, Ohio at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, officiated by Ruth Whitaker.

        Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home is honored to assist in the arrangements.

       Online condolences may be shared via www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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