John (Johnny) Ray Webb
In Loving Memory
JOHN RAY WEBB
Obituary
December 3, 1037 – July 23, 2019
John (Johnny) Ray Webb, age 81, of Ft. Worth, TX, was born December 3, 1937 in Nashville, Tennessee to William Benjamin and Ruth Elizabeth (Vinson) Webb, both deceased. In 1962, John married Elizabeth (Betsy) Jacintha Duncan; she survives. John received a B.S. degree from George Peabody College in Nashville in 1965; he graduated with a M.D. degree from The University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis in 1968.
From 1956-60, John served in the Navy, both in Norfolk, VA, and Argentia, Newfoundland, and later, in 1969, served in the Army as a physician at Ft. Bliss in El Paso.
John, retired Board-Certified Emergency Physician, engaged in both family and emergency medicine practices while in Iowa, Tennessee, Kwajalein M.I., Louisiana, and Arizona.
While serving as Director of the Bossier City Medical Center Emergency Department in Louisiana, he was instrumental in helping develop the first EMS (Emergency Medical Services) program to train firemen as paramedics. While in Arizona, John served as Director of Maricopa County Family Practice Clinics in Avondale, Glendale, and Chandler. Most recent to retirement, John served as an emergency physician at Harton Regional Hospital, Tullahoma, TN, and then, for Erlanger Urgent Care Clinics in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
During his youth, John, through natural inclination, developed a love of sports, and at Donelson High School excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He played basketball and baseball for the Navy, while serving, 1956-60, and afterwards, continued to play on many intramural teams. Tennis became John’s sport of choice as an adult, and he competed through tennis clubs in both Arizona and Louisiana. John was an avid reader, enjoying most, telling stories to his grandchildren.
Preceded in death by one child, Russell Galen Webb, and five sisters, Shirley Webb, Jean Williams, Betty Jo Kessler, Barbara Sanders, Peggy Fields, and recently, Wanda Faye Bright; he is survived by two children, Greg (Robin) Webb and Kristin Webb, and three grandchildren, Zachary, Olivia, and Adam Webb. He is also survived by sister Jackie Smith.
John loved his family and their life together. He was a comfort to them, and had strength of character that was a constant blessing to all who loved him.
John’s body was donated to the Willed Body Program of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, for medical education and research, during which time medical students were able to study brain function. John’s remains were brought to USS Zumwalt ship on 27 February 2020 in San Diego CA. Zumwalt departed San Diego on 16 June 2020. John’s military burial at sea ceremony was conducted on the ship deck on 20 June 2020, after which his remains were committed to the sea near Hawaii, a favorite place for family.
We wish to thank the staffs of both Ellery Arbor Memory Care and Custom Care Home Health & Hospice for their loving care during the final days of Johnny’s life.