John R Webb

He graduated from Ellensburg High School and received a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Education from Central Washington College of Education. His education was interrupted by service in World War II as a fighter pilot on the USS Bunker Hill in the Pacific Theater. He flew a Vought F4U Corsair and had two aerial victories. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with a Gold Star and the Air Medal with two Gold Stars.

He continued his military service in the Korean War and served in the Marine Corps Reserves for 14 years. He served his country for a total of 22 ½ years.

Married in 1944 to Mona Meyer, he was the father to two daughters, Kristen Webb (m. David Schooler), Darce Patterson (m. Mark Patterson), grandfather to Edward Schooler, Larissa Patterson (m. Mike Nishizaki), Josh Patterson (m. Kristin Wustholz) and great grandfather to Mathew Patterson.

He had a love of Ellensburg and the Rodeo weekend. Each year he could be found on Sunday with his family and friends in the uncovered grandstands overlooking the bucking shoots. He also loved to share birthdays and holidays with his family.

He was a dedicated teacher and taught for 20 years in the Kittitas Public School District. He coached the girl’s basketball team at the middle school and the wrestling team at Kittitas High School. He belonged to the Retired Teachers Association.

After WWII he had a varied career as an accomplished pilot before completing his educational degree. He was a crop duster, tow pilot for gliders, Civil Air Patrol pilot and flight instructor. He was a business partner in an airport in Texas City, Texas.

He was passionate about flying and enjoyed telling stories about his air adventures. He was a guest panelist for Friends of the American Fighter Aces Panel “Corsair Aces and Pilots of the USS Bunker Hill in WWII” at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

He was known for his enthusiasm for horseback riding. He belonged to the Kittitas Valley Trail Riders and volunteered with the Eastern Washington Quarter Horse Association. He participated in poker rides all over the Kittitas Valley and at the Silver Ridge Ranch in Cle Elum every summer for many years. Recently, he looked forward to receiving a prize for being the oldest rider. He was much appreciated for his volunteer activities including working on trails at the Washington State Horse Park and being a member of the civic group, the “Diehards,” that cleaned up the litter in the Yakima Canyon.

After retiring from teaching, he learned to play the accordion. He believed the two-handed coordination required to play kept him mentally sharp. He studied with Al Maletta and Bob Deccio in Yakima for 20 years.

He will be remembered by all who knew him for his independent spirit, his lively stories, his love of horseback riding, his loyalty and his generosity.

His brother, Donald and his wife, Mona, preceded him in death.

A Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, at the Rodeo City Bar-B-Q, Ellensburg.

If desired, contributions in his memory may be made to the Washington State Horse Park.