Gary LeRoy Newman, 84, of Redfield, SD, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.

Gary was born on August 7th, 1941, to Clayton and Katherine “Peg” (Jessen) Newman in Redfield. He grew up with three siblings and attended grade school and high school in Redfield. Gary graduated from Redfield High School in 1959. He was united in marriage to Connie Petersmeyer on August 20th, 1961, in Redfield. They had two daughters, Debbie and Tammy. After graduation, he began working for Harry’s Station hauling eggs throughout the Midwest until 1963, when he went into the poultry business on a farm near Redfield.

In 1968, Gary joined the Spink County Sheriff’s office as a deputy. This was followed by his election to the office of Spink County Sheriff in 1972. He served as Sheriff until 1994. During his time as Sheriff, he implemented many new and innovative programs such as a 911 call center and 24/7 dispatch center. Under Gary’s leadership, the Spink County Sheriff’s office merged with the Redfield Police Department.

In semi-retirement, Gary worked part-time at the Eastern Star Home for 10 years. At the same time, he started Newman Fire Extinguishers, where he serviced and sold extinguishers in Redfield and the surrounding area. Following that business, he built and managed storage units in Redfield.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, carpentry, renovation projects, and many years at their Cottonwood Lake Cabin.

In 2023, Gary and Connie moved to the apartments at the Eastern Star Home.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Connie of Redfield; two daughters, Debbie Perman of Mitchell, SD, and Tammy (Guy) Childs of Colorado Springs, CO; and five grandchildren: Brandon (Stephanie) Perman of Sioux Falls, SD, Cody Perman of Sioux Falls, Kayla (Matt) Glombicki of Mount Prospect, IL,  Cory (Aubrey) Childs, of Monument, CO, and Morgan Childs of Denver, CO. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, one brother, Wally Newman, two sisters, Norma Sprague and Mary Lou Puckett, and many relatives and friends.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:30pm on Friday, April 17th, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. Family will be present to accept condolences. A prayer service and time of sharing will follow at 6:30pm.

His funeral service will be at 11:00am on Saturday, April 18th, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, where Gary was a member since birth. Reverend Keith C. Kraft will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Lunch and fellowship will follow at the church.

Both the prayer service and funeral service will be live-streamed through a link on the funeral home’s website below Gary’s obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home (www.hykefuneralhome.com).