James D. "JD" Newman's Obituary
James D. “JD” Newman
December 21, 1954 – July 28, 2026
James D. “JD” Newman, devoted husband, retired United States Navy Reserve Commander, accomplished Naval Aviator, test pilot, aircraft designer and founder of Infinity Aerospace, passed away on July 28, 2026, in La Mesa, California. He was 71 years 7 months and 7 days old.
JD was born on December 21, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to James and Maxine (Schleis) Newman. He spent his formative years in Iowa and graduated in 1973 from Westwood High School in Sloan, Iowa. JD became an Eagle Scout in November 1972, and he carried those principles of character, leadership, and service throughout his military and aviation business careers. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1973. He continued his education at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business.
Answering the call to serve his country, JD became a Commander and Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy. During his distinguished service in the United States Navy, he flew numerous aircraft but primarily the F-14 Tomcat. He was sworn in to the US Navy in May 1978 in Omaha, NE to be a Naval Flight Officer. He went to Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS, also known as bootcamp for future Naval Aviators) in Pensacola, Florida. He was commissioned as a Naval Officer with the rank of Ensign on April 27, 1979. JD completed Basic and Intermediate Flight Training flying a T-2C Buckeye at VT-10 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in 1979 before going on to Advanced Flight Training in TA-4J’s with the goal of becoming a F-14 RIO (Radar Intercept Officer). JD graduated #1 in his class and made it on the Commodore’s List, which is the top 1% to go through Naval Aviation Flight Training. For this achievement, he was given the opportunity to select his plane and coast, choosing F-14 fighter jets on the West Coast. His Dad pinned his wings on him in front of Apollo 11 in the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL on March 21, 1980.
He reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar in San Diego on May 27, 1980 where he was in the RAG (Replacement Air Group) VF-124. He went there to receive training on the F-14. He “carrier qual’d” (qualified) on the USS Kittyhawk Aircraft Carrier. His first cruise was on the USS Constellation ‘The Connie’ from 1981-1982. His squadron was VF-24, jokingly called “VF-24 hours a day” because of the long hours. His second cruise was on the USS Ranger ‘The Danger Ranger’ from 1983-84, again in VF-24. The nickname “Danger Ranger” was because the ship was plagued with fires. His next active-duty station was Naval Air Station (NAS) Point Magu, CA, where he went to Flight Test from February 1984 to September 1986. He was in charge of the F-14 System Integration Test Lab (SITS Lab – where they filmed the cockpit scenes for the movie Top Gun) and the F-14 Software Support Activity (SSA). JD got off active duty in September 1986 and was picked up in an F-14 Reserve Unit VF-1485 at Miramar as an F-14 Instructor. He also started a civilian job as a government contractor at California Microwave as a program manager and test pilot for their UAV program. He was promoted to LCDR (Lieutenant Commander) in April 1987. He was with VF-1485 until August 1988. He then was a reservist on the Admiral’s Staff at Miramar until 1993 as the Miramar Safety Officer on the reserve side and critiquing civilian contractors who were training Naval Aviators to fly F-14, E-2, and C-2 aircraft via sims. JD was in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) from 1993 to 2001, having achieved the rank of Commander when he left the IRR.
In August 1980, JD founded Infinity Aerospace. He served as the company’s president, chief executive officer, chief technology officer, chief financial officer and chairman. Under his leadership, Infinity Aerospace became known throughout the experimental and homebuilt sport aircraft community for products that he designed including the Infinity Military Style Stick Grips, retractable landing gear systems, aircraft components, and the innovative Infinity 1 Aircraft. For 35 years, JD and Pat exhibited annually at Oshkosh for the EAA AirVenture Airshow.
JD was more than a business owner. Those who knew him will remember his unmistakable enthusiasm for aviation, his extensive technical knowledge and his willingness to explain an idea in as much detail as anyone wished to hear. To the very end he was committed to the Sport Aviation community, the innovative products he designed, and the personal relationships he built with customers over a lifetime.
His contributions extended into the broader aviation community. JD was a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, an EAA Technical Counselor and EAA Flight Advisor, a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and an experienced test pilot. He was also a lifetime member of the American Legion and AMVETS.
Infinity Aerospace and its products stand as part of that enduring legacy. Although JD’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter, the company he founded and the aviation community he served will continue to carry his work forward.
He was predeceased by his parents, James and Maxine Newman; his brothers, Jack Newman and Jerry Newman; and his nephew, Tyler Newman.
JD is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Patricia A. Newman (Zeeb). Their love story began August 5, 1989 on a blind date arranged by his high school classmates and culminated in marriage in Menno, South Dakota, on October 28, 2000. He is also survived by his brother, Jeff (Veronica) Newman of Monroe, North Carolina; his sisters, Jana (Dave) Drew of Milford, Iowa, and Jolene Newman of Sioux City, Iowa; his aunt, Jeanette (Newman) Kelsey of Mapleton, Iowa; and many cherished nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, and dear friends.
Information regarding celebration of life memorial services will be forthcoming.
Donations in his memory can be made to the American Legion (https://www.legion.org), click on the red button “donate” and choose which American Legion Charity for which you wish to donate and fill in the form. Note: Charity donations are “tax-deductible!”
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