Press release

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. -- Hiwassee College students, coaches, faculty, staff and friends mourn the loss of Hiwassee Tennis Coach Ron Newcomb who passed away Tuesday, Oct. 4, at age 61, following a sudden illness.

Newcomb was a professional tennis instructor and member of the USPTA. He taught tennis for 40+ years in South Florida, Knoxville, and Nashville, Tenn. Recently he taught in Sweetwater, as well as being the head tennis coach at Hiwassee.

A member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, Ron was preceded in death by his father A.J. Newcomb and brother Bill Newcomb. He is survived by his wife Penny Newcomb, mother Estalee Valentine Newcomb, nephew Brant Newcomb, sisters-in-law Leslie Linebaugh and Kim Newcomb, step-nephews Dustin Hoskins and Zane Harvey, and step-niece Shanda Harvey.

A memorial service honoring Newcomb's life will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with the Rev. Dave Graybeal officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Ron Newcomb Memorial Tennis Fund, Hiwassee College, 225 Hiwassee College Drive, Madisonville, TN 37354.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.