George Jerome Webb Sr.

WEBB George Jerome Webb, Sr., Cdr. USN, ret., left to be with his God on Sunday, October 27th. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on Oct. 2, 1921. He attended all 12 years of school in the New York City area and swam for the New York Athletic Club as a High School student. He joined the US Navy in 1939 where he discovered, as a young enlisted man, his passion for planes and flying. He entered Flight Training in 1943, and during his career as a Naval aviator he flew everything from bi-planes to jet aircraft. He was one of the Navy's few appointed enlisted pilots who flew fighters in WW II. He came to Jacksonville for flight training in 1941 where he met and married the love of his life Jacksonville native Martha Marie Zellner. They ran away to MacClenny to get married Dec. 7th, the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, thinking he would have to leave Jax immediately. But he did not and they celebrated with a second formal marriage ceremony held at Riverside Presbyterian Church on Feb. 14, 1942. He had a 37 year career in the Navy, first as an enlisted man and then went on to attend OCS in Monterey California and attended George Washington University in Washington, DC. He was commissioned as an Ensign/Chief Aviation Pilot on Nov. 1, 1944. During his long career in the Navy he flew as a carrier based fighter pilot, squadron EXO and then commander, worked in electronic warfare at the Pentagon, attended the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, was Senior Aide to CINC South AFSOUTH Naples Italy, Captain of the Tallahatchie County, AVB 2, and CO Flag Admin. at COMFAIR Jax. In retirement he found many interests and volunteer opportunities to occupy him. He and his wife moved boats up and down the East Coast waterways for friends and acquaintances for many years. He also worked as a Guardian as Litem for children of the 4th Judicial Circuit and volunteered, was trained and served in multiple Diversion Programs as a Hearing Officer with the Clay County State Attorneys Office. His beloved wife Martha preceded him in death on May 31, 2008. He is survived by his daughter Zilla Webb Hillin, Fleming Island Fl., his son Capt. George J. Webb, Jr., Floral City Fl., and his grandchildren Hatton A. Hillin, Jax. Fl., Monica Webb Larne, Plano, Tx., Natalie Alane, Lansing, Mi., Taylor Webb, Orange Park, Fl. and his great-granddaughter Victoria Lecrone, Plano Texas and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held for him Friday, Oct. 31st at 10 AM at Orange Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to Voices for Children at PO Box 10198, Jacksonville, Fl. 32247, which supports the children involved in the 4th Circuit Guardian as Litem program. Arrangements by HARDAGE- GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME, 950 Park Ave., Orange Park, FL. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com