In Memory
Max Newberry 02-18-43 to 05-28-20 There was no obituary found.
A life in Football
Max graduated from Napa Senior High School, class of 1960. While in school he played on the varsity baseball and football teams and was member of the first undefeated and untied football team in school history. After high school Max attended Napa Junior College where he again played on the football team. After junior college Max went into the USMC in San Diego. In 1965 he and some other Marines went to BYU and became members of that football team, Max being an offensive tackle. The 1965 team was the first conference champions in program history. He played from 1965 to 1967 where he made first team in the WAC. While in school Max majored in History.
Later on Max taught Social Science at Clovis, Ca. High School. He became the head football coach there in 1981 and in 1985 led the team to it's first Valley Championship in school history going 13-0. The team was ranked # 1 in northern California and # 2 in the state. This record and championship were repeated in 1987 making him a legendary coach with the Clovis West Golden Eagles. His career record was 74-25-1 from 1981-1989.
In 2019 Max and his 1985 team were inducted into the Clovis Unified Athletic Hall of Fame. Max was married to Sheila Kay Newberry and was retired from the Clovis Unified School District.
Michael "Mike" Cook
Arlie Lloyd
Max Newberry was one of the best tackles I every played the game of football with. Max was a giant of a man, both physically, and in Character. Him and I smashed into each other hundreds of times, like two bulls polishing our skills as linemen, and we both wanted tot be on the winning end, everytime. All of us on that Indian team in those days, knew that if we worked together we could do it. Go Undefeated! I know that all of our teammates, and all our other classmates, are saddened to hear this news. I hope Max and I, and all our other teammates, including our coaches, will meet again on the eternal Gridiron, and play for the greatest coach of all time. May we all meet there someday, and cheer each other on. Be at peace Max.
Richard "Dick" Curtis
The last time I saw Max, was in 1964 when he was playing football on the Marine Corps Reruit Depot "Devil Dogs" and I was playing on the Norh Island Naval Air Station "Packers". They beat us and won the Naval District championship. Max was one hell of a football player, that he was, and a really nice guy. We had beat UDT team 11 from Coronado (who was actually the secret Seal Team One at the time) working our way to the playoffs, and as tough as they were, they weren't as tough as the MCRD "Devil Dogs". God rest you soul Max and my sincere condolences to Max's family.
Dwight Pattison
I knew Max from both football and baseball at Ridgeview and baseball at Napa Hi. A good friend and a damn good team mate. Max was fun to be around and i had heard that he had a lot of success in coaching down in Clovis. I used to take "Cal Hi Sports" when my step sons were playing at Lodi High in the lated 80's and through '97. that is where i learned about those great Clovis West Teams. Rest in peace Max, you are not forgotten........DP
Richard "Dick" Giusto
During the last few years of high school,Max and I used to ride to and from Napa High together. After football practice we would hang out together so much that people started calling us Mutt and Jeff. We had a lot of fun and Max was a great friend that I will never forget.