Joe Charlie Newell

April 4, 1929 - February 24, 2014

Joe Charlie Newell April 4, 1929 — Feb. 24, 2014 Joe C. Newell, 84, passed away on Feb. 24 at the Corvallis Manor. He was born on April 4, 1929, in Chico, Calif., to Verl and May (Alexander) Newell. Joe spent his life in California and Oregon. He began working at the age of 12 on a ranch in California, after his father passed away, to help support his mother, two sisters and brother. Joe married Seretha Evelyn Upton in Reno, Nev., on Oct. 8, 1947. They were happily married for 66 years. After his marriage, Joe worked a few years on the Maiden Ranch in Blodgett. He next went to work with his father-in-law, Hugo Upton, falling timber. Joe then moved to Corvallis, where he worked as a foreman for the Corvallis Water Department for several years. He next tried the service station business, which he was not happy with. He then moved his family to Honcut, Calif., where he worked for Ray Matthews driving truck, and at the same time ran the Honcut Tavern until 1956 when he purchased a 150-acre farm in Airlie. He worked the farm for several years and then sold it and purchased a ranch in Blodgett where he raised horses and cattle while at the same time driving truck for Conser Sand & Gravel/Morse Brothers in Corvallis. He retired from truck driving after 29 years. During this period of time he also got involved in the night club/restaurant scene for a few years in Corvallis but it was never a shining moment for him. Joe loved the life of a horse and cattle rancher. He loved going to the auction once a week, loved hunting and fishing, hunting hounds, going to rodeos and spending time with family and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Verl Everett Newell; mother Mae Coats; brother Jack Newell; sister Bessie Miller; daughter Margaret Newell; son Ricky Newell; and granddaughters Sara Johnson and Tammy McKinney. Joe is survived by his spouse, Evelyn of Blodgett; son Wesley Newell of Blodgett; daughters Evelyn Hayes of John Day and Betty Ann Williams of Philomath; sister Dorothy Richardson of Corvallis; and numerous grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews who were all very important to him. A celebration of life for friends and family will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Blodgett Church in Blodgett.