Ryan Newnam

Ryan Ashley Newnam, 46, of Pelham passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, November 13, 2023, after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer.

A funeral service will be held at Lively Stones Baptist Church in Pelham, NC on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 2:00 PM with Rev. Michael Kent officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral home in Reidsville, NC on Wednesday November 15, 2023. Burial will follow the service at the church cemetery.

Ryan was born in Alamance County to Robert Stephen Newnam (Eunice) and the late Rhonda White Newnam.  He attended Eastern Guilford High School and graduated from Rockingham Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice.  Ryan always enjoyed helping others.  He served as a police officer for 12 years, working with Hyco Lake/Person County Lake Authority, serving as a manager for Lankford Protective Services, and a campus police officer at Durham Tech.  Ryan served as a volunteer firefighter for 15 years, volunteering for Pelham VFD and Ruffin VFD.  He was the chairman of the Pork Jam BBQ festival for many years.

Ryan was known to many in the community as the “Bounce Man”. His dream of owning his own business and bringing something to the community for kids was something he poured his heart into.  In 2010, Ryan and his wife, Karen, founded The Caswell Bounce House and added a sister company Carolina Foam Parties in 2021.  Ryan enjoyed building relationships with customers and teaching his kids that customer service was a top priority.  He was very proud that his kids have continued to keep his dream and vision alive.

Ryan is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Karen McCollum Newnam; children, Austin (20), MaKayla (16), and Tyler (14) Newnam; all of the home.

Along with his mother, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, William Clarence and Dorothy Mae White of Whitsett.