La Rue Stover Newman, age 93, a longtime resident of Springfield, MO passed into the arms of Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. He was born in Glencoe, OK on June 26, 1917. He was one of three children born to Bessie and Clyde Newman during the depression, "dust bowl" years while his father worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma. La Rue was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wilma Bernece (Hancock) Newman brother, Paul Newman of Huntsville, AL, and his younger sister, Barbara Ridenour, is presently living in Madill, OK. La Rue met the lady of his dreams while working in oil field construction in Salem, Illinois and they were united in marriage in Swedborg, MO, on July 18, 1941. With the support of his bride, Wilma Bernece (Bee) Newman, La Rue went on to graduate from Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture on May 31, 1948. During this time period La Rue also served honorably during World War II and was a veteran of the United States Navy. They were also blessed during this time period with the birth of their two children, Linda L. Moore, presently residing in Springfield and Ronald R. Newman, presently residing in Branson, MO. After graduation, the couple moved to Springfield, MO, where La Rue commenced a distinguished 33 year career as Chief Architect with the St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco) Railway, MKT (Katy) Railroad and the BNSF Railway. When La Rue retired in June 1981 his dedication to service had only begun. He was cofounder and five times elected as President of the new Railroad Historical Museum at Grant Beach Park in Springfield, MO. He was instrumental in the design of the canopy covering the Frisco Steam Locomotive #4554 and securing a Frisco caboose, Railway Express Car, and a Chicago MTA Bi-level Car for the Museum and opening the Museum each Saturday in the summer months at no charge to children or the public coming from far and wide. La Rue and Bernece actively participated with NARVRE (National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees) and the Frisco Retiree's Club. Throughout the years La Rue coached Little League baseball and personally trained his son and grandson. La Rue and Bernece's love not only was shown for their children, but also showered upon their grandchildren, Mrs. Sonya Butler of Neosho, MO, Mr. Joe Moore of Springfield and Mrs. Renee Knake of East Lansing, MI, as well as their six great grandchildren. La Rue was also politically active having twice run for the Springfield, MO, School Board and having worked closely with the Springfield City Parks Department regarding the Railway Museum at Grant Beach Park. La Rue later developed and was awarded a patent for Building Panel Construction with portable reinforced concrete walls. He was also an avid supporter of the design and deployment of Hydroelectric Sea Walls for the creation of electricity and national energy conservation (appealed to the Bush Administration and Congress). La Rue and Bernece's greatest love was for their work within the Church. La Rue's entire family was baptized together by Pastor James T. Shirley in 1956 at East St. Louis Baptist Church. They were senior founding members of the Pastor's Class at First Baptist Church, Springfield. Together they assisted in the early support and founding of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, as fostered by First Baptist Church. More recently La Rue was a member and consistent "prayer warrior" of the Seniors Sunday School Class at Second Baptist Church, Springfield, MO. His family and friends will greatly miss his strong Christian influence and guidance. A commemorative service will be held for La Rue at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2011, with interment at Hazelwood Cemetery immediately to follow (1642 E. Seminole St.). Visitation will be from 2 - 6 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Railroad Historical Museum at Grant Beach Park, c/o Max Jahn, 1651 S. Roanoke, Springfield, MO, 65807.