Joseph M. Webb's Obituary
A celebration of life for Joseph M. Webb, 86, is scheduled for 11:00 am, Friday, July 5 at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, Texas with Scott Schulik officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 10:00 am. Joe passed away peacefully in his sleep and woke up in the presence of the Lord on June 30, 2019. Burial will be at Rosewood Park Cemetery in Longview.
Joe was born in Alexander, Texas on November 9, 1932 - the thirteenth child to Annie Loraine Ethetton Webb and Henry Elmore Webb. He laughed about all his sisters “mothering” him and being born an uncle. Joe loved athletics and starred on the Jacksonville High School football team, winning State in 1950. He graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1951.
Never afraid of hard work, Joe worked in the oil fields of East Texas before he enlisted in the United States Army in 1953. After his Honorable Discharge, Joe attended Stephen F. Austin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science. Joe later attended East Texas State College and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Education. Throughout his life, Joe was always working to support his family of five. Whether it was driving 18 wheelers in the summer, buying and running a fireworks stand, or owning a gas station, he stayed busy. He valued education and put three children and his wife through college. When it came to work or life’s difficulties, he always said, “When the going gets tough for everyone else, it gets just right for me.”
While teaching at Kilgore High School he met Mary Alice Hornbeck. Joe was the young, handsome, single, biology teacher. They married on May 26, 1959. Together they raised three children in Kilgore. Being a biology teacher, Joe was always the one called to identify a bug or a snake in someone’s yard, and as a result always brought home pets, including dogs, cats, snakes and even a rooster! Joe joined the faculty at Kilgore College as a biology teacher and later as Director of Student Services. Joe served at Kilgore College for 31 years and retired in 1997.
Joe had many interests and hobbies. He loved road trips and flea markets. He was frugal and enjoyed getting a good deal! He loved to fish, camp, bird watch, collect coins and rocks, work in the yard, work puzzles, follow the Texas Rangers, and gripe about the Dallas Cowboys.
Joe and Mary retired to Longview and spent the last 20 years travelling all over the U.S in their RV, loving on their grandkids and great grandkids, serving various civic organizations and being active at Mobberly Baptist, where he drove the parking lot shuttle and delivered Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors. Joe spent his last years at Heartis Senior Living in Longview. Known for his sense of humor, practical jokes and easy-going personality, he will be dearly missed! He was a delight to all who met him. He loved his caregivers Ashlie and Rose from StayKare, and all the staff at Heartis.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2016. Joe loved his kids and often spoke of how proud he was of each of them. Joe is survived by his children: Dr. Michael David Webb of Eugene, Oregon, Marijo Basinger and her husband Kyle of Plano, Texas, and John Mark Webb and his husband Lance Wallace of Dallas, Texas. Joe leaves behind grandchildren Jon Ellington and his wife Lori, Jarrad Webb, Aaron Basinger and his wife Rachel, Adrienne Michelle Webb and her husband James Watkins, and Lauren Powell and her husband James. Joe has 5 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Joshua and Jordan Ellington and Regan and Reese Powell. He is survived by his sister Betty Jo Gabel of South Dakota and numerous nieces and nephews. Dearly loved and greatly missed!
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?
