Bobby Ray New, 78, of Mesa, Arizona, died peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 5, 2020. He was joined moments later by his wife Janet New.

Bobby was born May 13, 1942, in Eubank, Kentucky to the late Albert E. New and Eva Jane (Jones) New. He was a 1961 graduate of Eubank High School.Bobby worked at Cornett Machine Shop in Somerset, Kentucky for a year before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1963, where he served honorably for 22 years. He retired in June of 1984 as a master sergeant.

He married Nisa Deekrathok Sawyer and became a loving father to three children, Pojana, Charley, and Roger. In June of 1989, Bobby married his soulmate, Janet, and added four stepchildren, Stacey, Victor, Lee and Darcy whom he adored as his own.

Bobby and Janet were devoted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bobby was a do it all handyman and a jack of all trades. He enjoyed and was skilled in repairing any and all things mechanical and technical. He had a passion for exploring his family genealogy.

He is survived by a daughter, Pojana Joseph (Authur) of Dallas,Texas; two sons, Charley New (Ashley) of Waycross, Georgia and Roger New of Grand Prairie, Texas; two stepdaughters, Stacey Hanson (Steve) of Independence, Missouri; Darcy Whatcott (Matt) of Keller, Texas and two stepsons, Victor Allred (Theresa) of Kansas City, Missouri and Lee Allred (Michelle) of Kansas City Missouri; a sister, Betty Lou Wilson (Don) of Ferguson, Kentucky; a brother, Billy New (Sue) of Science Hill, Kentucky; and a special niece, Tish Ann.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert New, and mother, Eva Jane Jones; two sisters, Lona Pittman and Wilma Baston; and two brothers, Dennis F. New and Chester G. New.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Melby Mortuary on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020.

His funeral will be held 1 p.m., Saturday at Melby Mortuary in Mankato, Kansas with Matt Whatcott officiating. Burial will follow in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak, Kansas. Military honors will be conducted by the US Air Force and Emory Clemons Post.

The family suggests memorials to http://www.afas.org (ASSA) Headquarters Air Force Society, 1550 Crystal Drive, Suite 809, Arlington, Virginia 22202. For online condolences, please visit http://www.melbymortuary.com.