Roll Call Tribute

John Abe Webb
January 4, 1935 - September 30, 2021

John Abe Webb, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on September 30, 2021. His last moments were spent surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.

John was born on January 4, 1935 to Ivy Webb and Alice Kent Webb in Cottonwood, Texas and moved to West, Texas in third grade. After he graduated from West High School he attended Texas A&M, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was a proud member of the Aggie Corps and a Squadron Commander. His loyalty to A&M ran deep and never waned. Maroon was his color of choice and despite his extensive travels, College Station remained his favorite place to visit.

1957 was a banner year for John. He graduated from A&M, married his high school sweetheart Ann Adams, and entered the Air Force to pursue his passion for flying. He flew many planes during his career, but the majority of his thousands of hours were logged in B47s and later in B52s, flying twenty-four-hour missions.

He advanced through the ranks to full Colonel. Some of the highlights of his career were being a command pilot and instructor pilot, serving a remote tour in Thailand, and acting as Organization Commander, Director of Logistics at Ramstein AFB in Germany, and Base Commander at Kelly AFB in San Antonio. He also considered it the greatest of privileges to serve as Executive Officer to Four-Star General Earl T. O’Loughlin and travel with him extensively.

Following retirement from the Air Force in 1986, he began a second career with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, retiring in 1998 and moving to McKinney, Texas. Shortly after moving to McKinney, he agreed to become interim manager of the McKinney Airport for a brief period.

John enjoyed his career and loved his country, his family, and of course, the “Fightin’ Texas Aggies!” He always knew, however, that his faith in and love for Jesus Christ were more important than anything else. He was a Gideon, an ordained deacon, and a member of First Baptist Church of McKinney. The life he led will continue to be an example of character, integrity, and spiritual strength to all who knew and loved him.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ann, and his four daughters: Julie Clark and husband Jim, Jan Hendrix '83 and husband Mark, Leslie Van Beber and husband Greg, Lori Milner and husband Don. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren (including Aggie, Haley '09), six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his sister Shirley Webb Bailey. He was preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings.

A memorial service in his honor will be held October 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel at First McKinney, 1615 W Louisiana St, McKinney, TX 75069. In lieu of flowers, please consider one of John’s favorite charities: First Baptist of McKinney, Meals on Wheels, Samaritan Inn, and Texas Baptist Men.

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