John Crawford Webb

1929 - 2015

John Crawford Webb, a dedicated educator, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. Service: Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Venus Memorial Park in the Wilson-Haney plots. Memorials: John was a plant enthusiant. Memorials may include flowers or gifts to the Humane Society of North Texas, 1840 E. Lancaster, Fort Worth, Texas 76103. John Crawford Webb became a part of the life of his parents, Gladys Gabbert Webb and Clarence Richard Webb, on Feb. 12, 1929, in the Oakhurst community of Fort Worth. His great-grandparents had come to the Bransford (Grapevine) area in the 1880s. A historic marker identifies their original homeplace. His boyhood through graduation was filled with many athletic activities. At Carter-Riverside he lettered two years in football and four years in baseball as captain of his team. His senior year, in 1946, he won first place in the high hurdles for the city of Fort Worth. Also in high school he was in ROTC and senior class favorite. As a youth, he threw the Fort Worth Star-Telegram by bicycle, which led him to an interest in literacy and his college major of education in mathematics. He was also very active in Young Life, which led him, along with three high school buddies, Sam Adams, Peanuts Roach and Patrick Evans, to college at Whitworth University in Washington. At Whitworth University, he lettered in baseball for four years, serving as captain his senior year. His trips from Fort Worth to Spokane, Wash., by train or car, were challenging, but he always considered it such a privilege. In the summers, he worked at Boys Ranch in Wyoming, leading him to a great appreciation of nature, conservation and the environment. Following Whitworth graduation, he was drafted into the Army and served two years. Upon returning to Fort Worth, he enrolled at Texas Christian University to begin his work on a master's in education administration. At the same time he became a teacher and coach in the Azle public schools where he spent the next 35 years as a teacher, vice principal and principal of the high school. In 1972, he married Nancy Wilson, an educator. They enjoyed extensive trips and volunteering for literacy, as well as the family's ranch. John's favorite sites were the Grand Teton National Park (fishing), Maine, and Destin, Fla. After retirement, he continued his work for literacy on the Adult Basic Education Fort Worth ISD for 20 years. Being active as a volunteer for the Greater Fort Worth Literacy Council, Salvation Army Board, Tarrant Historical Society and Jewel Charity were always gratifying to him. His love of nature, wildlife and his pets were of particular enjoyment after retirement. The pets, Erin, Mary Nan, Madison, Ligon, Crawford and Matilda, were stimulating to his health. He was a member of the Disciples of Christ and served as an elder in the 1970s. Music was of great importance to him, thus belonging to the Petroleum Club, Crescent Club and Ridglea Country Club. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Robert and Richard. Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nancy Wilson-Webb; sister, Dorothy Albrecht of Burleson; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as his beloved pets.