James "Jim" Webb

1934 - 2025

James "Jim" Webb

July 16, 1934 -

January 16, 2025

James "Jim" Webb, age 90, passed peacefully at home from this world on January 16, 2025. His beloved late wife of over 58 years, Coralee, wrote this tribute for her loving husband before her passing to be used when the time came.

Jim was born to Ernest and Ethel (Duncan) Webb on June 16, 1934 in Unicoi County, Tennessee, where he grew-up in and around Erwin. He did not have a formal education, leaving school early in his elementary years to work the fields, but he was a common sense man who went on to join the Air Force and become known for being a family man, his hard work in construction, his love of classic western shows, and his skilled woodwork in the traditional Appalachian ways.

Jim had a strong work ethic, leaving his fingerprint across the country. At a young age he worked in Danville, VA at the Dan River Cotton Mill, went to Detroit, MI working in the Briggs Automotive Factory where they made Plymouths and Packards, then to Alliance, OH at the American Steel Foundry. Jim then joined the U.S. Air Force where he met Coralee Dumond, who was also enlisted. They were both stationed in Omaha, NE at SAC Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base. After dating for 15 months they were married on July 19, 1957 in Council Bluffs, IA in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Knight officiating. After their hitches were up and after visiting in Oklahoma and Tennessee, they moved to Hickory, NC where Jim worked as a truck driver and their first son (who was also the first grandson and great-grandson) Jimmy was born. They moved to Happy Camp in far Northern California where Jim was a choker setter in logging. Their second and third sons, Herb and John, were born in nearby Yreka.

Their next move was to Mosheim, TN. Jim worked as a carpenter for Daniels Construction, followed by Herrin Construction out of Etowa, and O.E. Willey Construction out of Nashville. Jimmy and Herb each started school in Mosheim. His next transfer was to be a general foreman on the Pump Station in Jacksonville, FL. John started school while there. Then onto Jonesborough, TN on a water plant, Dandridge, TN where he did the Newbert Spring Pump Station, and Crossville, TN to do the water plant there.

In 1971 Jim with his family made their big move to Wagoner, OK, where he lived over 54 years until his passing. Jim was happy to make a home near his wife's family in Wagoner and Tahlequah, OK, while always remembering his roots, family, and friends in Eastern Tennessee. Jim helped build and renovate many well known places in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and through Northeastern Oklahoma, starting as a carpenter foreman and working his way up to superintendent, until he retired in 1995. After all those years in construction and no broken bones, the first weekend he broke his ankle. But he did not stay retired long. He went back to work and finally retired for good in 1997.

He enjoyed his retirement, spending most of his time in his shop building bachelor chairs, quilt chests, and rocking chairs. There were so many over the years everyone lost count. His real passion was his saw mill, he really enjoyed running it, making lumber. His family fondly remember Jim teaching them how to cut a storm fallen tree into boards. Jim was preceded in death by his best friend and loving wife Coralee, his sons Jimmy and Herb, daughter-in-law Vickie, brothers Bill and Ulis (Mink), nephew Michael, his parents Ernest and Ethel Webb, his grandparents Ulysses and Sarah Webb and Joseph and Phoebe Duncan, and many dear in-laws and extended family.

Jim is survived by his youngest son John, his daughter-in-law Vickey, his favorite granddaughter Jennifer and her husband Joshua Gapetz, his favorite grandson Matthew and his significant other Shannon Solomon, his favorite great-granddaughter Shyanne, his favorite great-grandson Anthony, his sisters Sandy Masters, Bet Webb, Dot Baumgartner, and Arie Filbert, and nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors near and far on all sides of the family. He always looked forward to calls and cards.

Friends and family are invited to the cemetery service on Friday, February 7 at 10:00 am at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, OK. Jim will be laid to rest next to Coralee with military honors with thanks to the Military Honor Team. Arrangements by Mallett Funeral Home, Wagoner, OK, (918) 485-2911.