Newrise Beau Battle

Newrise Battle/Beau David Born Newrise Battle on August 3, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was later to take on the stage name of Beau David. He began singing before he enlisted in the United States Air Forces in 1955. With his rendition of the song '16 Tons' he won the Air Force Tops in Blues Award while stationed in Germany. A natural at music, he then taught himself to play guitar and enjoyed a wide repertoire which included country, folk, blues, and flamenco. His favorite was country music. While serving in maintenance and scheduling squadrons for the Air Force, Newrise continued his military education by completing the Officer Candidate Course and also began working on his undergraduate degree in the mid 1960's. Ever the musician, he also began performing in the local communities near the bases where he was stationed in HI and WA. He completed his bachelor's degree in Psychology at St. Martin College in Olympia WA. While assigned to Ellsworth AFB, SD, he performed with 'The Intrigues' his first band for 4 years until he retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service in 1975. Moving to Colorado in the same year, Beau performed solo 6 nights a week while attending graduate school at the University of Northern Colorado, where he earned a master's degree in Psychology. His first band in Colorado, 'The Day Drinkers', performed in the Denver area for several years, where he was to become known to many as 'Beau David'. Beau married his second wife, Leora, in June 1975. He was also a licensed mental health professional who worked as a counselor, clinician and psychotherapist within the Denver/Aurora area for 20 years, working at Mt Airy and later at the Aurora Mental Health Center. Following his retirement from his second career in 1999, he became a pro bono member of American Mental Health of Colorado. He enjoyed working with at risk youths and volunteering in the local community. Building on his early days in Colorado, he continued his musical career and became a founding member of the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame, an organization that began with 6 members and grew to over 300. He held the posts of first Vice-President for 2 years, and acting President for 1 year. He also organized the first Hall of Fame Festival at that the Arvada Eagles. He was honored to receive the Parmelle Award for Country Music Entertainer of the Year Award from the Country Music Hall of Fame. Acting was also a talent for Beau, including portraying the role of God in Green Pastures among other roles. He is lovingly remembered as a wonderful person who loved interacting with people and who loved his daughters and step-daughters very much. His endless love of music, beautiful voice, and ease with audience lay at the heart of his gifted stage presence still strong when he peformed with this last band, 'Rawhide'. Beau David was preceded in death by his parents, Newrise Battle and Frances Good Battle, brothers Anthony Cox, Kenneth Cox and Carolyn Poland, step-daughter. He was also preceded in death by the mother (first wife) of his four daughters. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Leora Battle, daughters, Wahtawah Battle, Maryville TN; Oneida (Battle) Blagg, Southborough MA; Lakotah Battle, Los Angeles CA; Quana (Battle) Johnson, Denver CO; and step-daughters, Barbara Poland; Denver CO, Bettsy Straup, Colorado Springs, CO. Survivors also include Elizabeth Hughes, sister, New Richmond OH; and brothers Allen Cox, OH; and Frank Cox, CA.. Grandchildren include Brian Kincaid, TN, Nova Battle, CO; Kaelas Blagg, MA; and 3 great grandchildren. Please share memories of Beau and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab below. Click on the Blue text below, ""Photo Gallery"" to view a memorial slide show of Beau.