National Champion Walter H. McNew has passed away.

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Walter H. McNew, 88, of Richardson, Texas, passed away on December 18, 2023. He was born on November 1, 1935, in Pecos, Texas, and moved to Amarillo at a young age.

Walter attended Amarillo HS and was a member of the Sandie track team, where he excelled in the mile and 2-mile run. He attended the University of Texas on a track scholarship, where he was a member and Captain of the track and cross-country teams and the Texas Cowboys. He won the NCAA Championship in ‘56 and All-American status in ‘56 and ‘57. He earned his BA ‘58 and MSSW ‘60 at UT. He joined the Army in ‘60 and retired as a Colonel after 35 years in the Army Reserve. He was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He served as Executive Director of Big Brothers and Sisters of Dallas for 30 years and retired in 1994. After retirement, he became a social services supervisor for the Salvation Army. In 1999, Walter fully retired to be a PawPaw and part-time volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Church, Reading Tutor, and anyone who needed a hand. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Richardson.

Walter is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Shirley Ford McNew, brother Brad McNew, and two daughters-Melissa Baker and husband Geoff Baker, Melinda Betty and husband Glen Betty; four grandchildren- Carolyn Baker Finnie, Braydon Betty, Austin Baker, Brittany Betty, and three great-grandchildren.

Walter will be laid to rest at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the McNew family requests donations be made in Walter’s memory to Friends Place of Richardson – Specialized Alzheimer’s Daytime Care. Donations can be made over the phone by calling 972-437-2940.