John Newhouse

John Samuel Newhouse, “Jack” to friends and family, knew he would be an attorney from the time he was a child, a knowledge and goal that substantially defined his life for much of his 96 years. Still though, he had many other accomplishments. Jack was a skilled pilot, an avid fisherman and an amazing musician, playing both the organ and piano, by ear, and from music, with a facility that most of us can only envy. He provided musical accompaniment to Independence Rotary Club meetings for years, helping to add the celebration of music to those gatherings.
Jack was an active life-long member of The First Presbyterian Church of Independence, acting as a leader in numerous capacities for generations of its members. He supported many causes and helped a number of disadvantaged young individuals complete their educational goals. He spent the last 35 years of his life learning to manage and operate an industrial farm. Jack brought a rare sense of humor and his piercingly analytical mind to every task and personal interaction.
True to his childhood goal, Jack practiced the law in Independence from 1947 to the end of his life, and remained a named partner in his firm for all of that time. He was admitted to appear before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1960. During those years of practice, Jack served as the Independence City Attorney for a decade. He also served as President of the Independence Rotary Club and the Independence Chamber of Commerce.
Born in 1916 in New Orleans, to parents Earle Strother Newhouse and Lillian Woodward Newhouse, Jack moved to Independence and graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1934, a member of the same class as a beautiful young woman named Marjorie Spahr. He completed his college work at Central College in Fayette, MO in 1938, and subsequently graduated from Harvard Law School in 1941. Joining the U.S. Navy in 1942, Jack served as a Supply Corps Lieutenant through the end of the War. He and Marjorie Spahr were married in 1942 on the only day he could arrange a brief leave, Independence Day. They celebrated that marriage every year on the Fourth of July for more than 66 years.
John Samuel and Marjorie Spahr Newhouse raised two children who survive them both. John Samuel Newhouse, II (Sam) and Dr. Nancy Lynne Newhouse continue to live in the metropolitan area. Their only granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth McGraw currently resides in Washington, DC.
Visitation for John S. Newhouse will be held at The First Presbyterian Church in Independence on Monday, October 15th, 2012 beginning at 1PM with a memorial service to follow at 2PM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in the name of John S. Newhouse to the Rotary Foundation 14280 Collections Ctr Dr, Chicago, IL 60693 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.