Harold R. Webster

Harold was born in Eureka on May 29, 1932 to Eber R. Webster and Margaret B. (Hemphill) Webster and died Sunday, March 27, 2011 in Eureka after a brief battle with cancer. Harold was raised in Blue Lake and attended Glendale Elementary School and later graduated from Arcata High School in 1950. He attended Humboldt State and began at the Division of Highways in 1951, remaining for 40 years. He began as a surveyor, moved to engineering, designed several of the North Coast's Rest Areas, and culminated with numerous construction projects as Assistant Resident Engineer to include: Highway 299 in and around Willow Creek; Loleta/ Hookton Road interchange; the McKinleyville Bypass; and many others. He retired as District 1's Aerial Photogrammetry Engineer. In his younger life he was actively involved in the Blue Lake Community as administrator of the 4H, helped build the Little League baseball field and rodeo/gymkhana arena, to name just a few. During the 1980s, Harold knew the Lord was calling him into the ministry. He loved the Lord and volunteered 11 years ministering at the Eureka Rescue Mission. He then taught Elijah House Ministry Schools and continued to be very active in prayer ministry. He considered this his life's calling. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, children Mike and wife Carol Webster of Yorba Linda, CA; Daniel Webster of McKinleyville, CA; Kathleen Webster of Eureka, CA; daughter-in-law Wendy Webster of Sacramento; step sons William Richmond of Eureka, CA and Craig Richmond of Springfield, VA; Jeanine (King Bernard) Webster, mother of his children of Eureka, CA; grandchildren Caleb Andersen, partner Tonya Willey and children Karl and Nick Cauley of Aberdeen, MD, Alison and Matthew Webster of Yorba Linda, CA; great granddaughter Kaylie Andersen of Aberdeen, MD; and cousins Lois Berton of Brevard, NC, Dolores Yauney of Rawlins, WY, Mary Jean Hemphill-Cronan of Eureka, CA; and Dennis and Kevin Carroll of Vacaville, CA; and Lena Colivas of Eureka, CA. He is also survived by cousin Vern (Toots) Churchill of Otis, CO. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Lee Gordenker of Santa Rosa, CA and Vivian Dickerson of Monteray, CA. Harold was predeceased by his parents Eber and Margaret Webster, son Timothy H Webster, and infant grandson Christopher Webster, and cousins Pat Carroll, Ruth Carroll, Phyllis Carroll and Harlan Carroll, Darlene Marr and Dorothy Kuntz, his uncle Elgin Webster and aunt Berdine Churchill. Memorial services will be held at Eureka First Baptist Church, Del Norte and E in Eureka on Friday, April 1 at 1pm. Donations may be made to Gil-Beth Ministries, a non-profit Christian organization founded by Harold, or the Eureka Rescue Mission, Eureka. Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA 707-442-3751, www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on March 30, 2011