James Dobyns Newland

James Dobyns Newland Jr., 53, of Kingsport, died Saturday February 7, 2009 at Holston Valley Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

He is survived by a brother, John L. Newland, of Washington, D.C.; a nephew, Mark Newland, of Kingsport; an aunt, Edith Newland; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Holli Marie Newland; his parents, James D. Newland Sr. and June Lane Newland; his brother, Joe A. Newland; and his grandparents and several aunts and uncles.

He was born in Kingsport and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1975. He attended Tri-Cities State Technical Institute and was a certified electrician.

Jim had worked as a floral assistant, handyman and taxi driver before becoming a fiber-optic technician at Tele-Optics in Kingsport and eventually a self-employed electrician who worked in the Tri-Cities area and more recently around Washington, D.C.

He had recently earned his 11-year chip from Alcoholics Anonymous, in which he was very active. Jim had recently retired to a life of fishing and songwriting.

An informal memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Monday February 9, 2009 at the chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes in Kingsport. Visitation will follow.

Those who would like may make a donation in his honor to the charity of their choice.