Russell "E" Newport, age 100, of Springfield, Missouri died on February 23, 2022.  He was born at home in Buffalo, Missouri, in May of 1921.  He was predeceased by his parents Jack and Mildred Newport; Carolyn, his wife of sixty-seven years; sons Stephen and Timothy; and brothers John and Jack. He is survived by his sister Mary Ellen Zorbaugh (Warren), Columbia, MD, his son Mark (Terry) of Springfield, and daughter-in-law Gaynelle of Keller, TX. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Luke Newport (Sarah) and their daughter Maggie of St. Peters, MO; Anna Stover (Andy) and their children Henry Jake, Taylor, and Weston of Keller, TX; Charissa Newport and her children Brady, Emily, Addie, and Caleb of Keller, TX; Ben Newport (Charlotte) and their daughter Amelia of Keller, TX; Jonathon Newport (Kathleen) of Washington, DC; Matthew Newport (Katie) and their children McKenzie, Ella, and Madi of Springfield; Devon Newport (Elizabeth) of Ozark, MO; and Ian Newport (Cassie) of Scottsdale, AZ. He is survived by sisters-in-law Patty Ellis, Wheatland, WY and Patsy Newport, Tulsa, OK. Also, he is survived by many fine nieces and nephews all of whom he admired and loved.

He is a graduate of William Jewell College and Harvard University (MBA). He received a Certificate of Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.

From an early age, he was encouraged by his mother to pursue voice lessons with a professor at Southwest Baptist University, ultimately leading to a career in music and gospel singing throughout the United States and the world. He is a former music director at First Baptist Church and First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield. He had a God-given vocal talent with a powerful, beautiful tenor voice. This career spanned more than eighty years, singing his last concert in Seattle, Washington at the age of ninety-five.

While growing up he worked in his father's general store. This led to a parallel career in business as the owner of several variety stores located in Missouri and Arkansas, most of which he sold at a relatively young age to devote his energies to singing.

He proudly served as a Navy officer during World War II on the U.S.S. Strong (DD-758). His family enjoyed hearing him recount many stories about this time near Okinawa and Tokyo.

He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

The funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church, Springfield, MO on Tuesday, March 1, at 10 AM. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM Monday, February 28, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home of Springfield.

"With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgement.  Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow." Proverbs 3:5-6

In lieu of flowers a memorial may be sent to First Baptist Church, 525 South Ave., Springfield, MO 65806 or ARC of the Ozarks, 1501 East Pythian Street, Springfield, MO 65802.