Obituary: Grant Wayne Brinsfield, Longtime Newport Resident and Navy Veteran, Dies at 86

Brinsfield was a devoted member of First Assembly of God church and served with the Gideons ministry.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Grant Wayne Brinsfield, a longtime resident of Newport, Arkansas, passed away on March 8, 2026, at the age of 86. Brinsfield was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, earning Bronze Stars for his bravery and dedication. After retiring from the military, he worked at the Brown Root Power Plant in Newark and was an active member of the First Assembly of God church, serving in various roles such as head usher, Sunday school teacher, and van driver.

Why it matters

Brinsfield's life story highlights the contributions of military veterans to their local communities, as well as the importance of faith-based organizations in providing support and community engagement for residents of small towns like Newport, Arkansas.

The details

Brinsfield was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1939 and graduated from Newport High School in 1957. After serving in the Navy, he returned to Newport and began working at the Brown Root Power Plant. He was a devoted member of the First Assembly of God church since 1986, serving in various roles and driving the church van to pick up attendees. Brinsfield also became a member of the Gideons ministry in 2008, a group he was proud to be a part of.

  • Brinsfield was born on April 23, 1939.
  • He graduated from Newport High School in 1957.
  • Brinsfield joined the First Assembly of God church in Newport in 1986.
  • He became a member of the Gideons ministry on November 13, 2008.
  • Brinsfield passed away on March 8, 2026, at the age of 86.

The players

Grant Wayne Brinsfield

A longtime resident of Newport, Arkansas, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and was an active member of the First Assembly of God church and the Gideons ministry.

First Assembly of God

The church in Newport, Arkansas, where Brinsfield was a devoted member, serving in various roles such as head usher, Sunday school teacher, and van driver.

Gideons International

A ministry that Brinsfield became a member of in 2008, dedicated to distributing Bibles and supporting Christian outreach.

Brown Root Power Plant

The plant in Newark, Arkansas, where Brinsfield worked after retiring from the Navy.

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The takeaway

Grant Wayne Brinsfield's life exemplified the values of service, faith, and community engagement that are often found in small-town America. His dedication to his country, his church, and his local community left a lasting impact on the people of Newport, Arkansas.