Richard E. Webster Jr.

Richard Elbridge Webster, Jr, a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and loyal friend, passed away on June 15, 2024, at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas.

Richard was born on April 17, 1952, in Aberdeen, Washington. His family lived in Portland, Oregon, then Hoquiam, Washington. At Hoquiam High School, Richard joined baseball, tennis, and swimming teams. He graduated from Evergreen High School in 1970 after moving to Vancouver, Washington with his father.

Richard carried on a military tradition after his great-grandfather who served in the Union Army, his uncle, killed in action in the Philippines, and his father, a World War II veteran. Richard joined the Air Force in 1971 and later joined the Army.

The Air Force stationed Richard in Las Vegas and Spain. In Las Vegas, a friend invited Richard to church where he heard that Jesus Christ loved him. He instantly chose to follow Him and served Christ with his whole heart for the rest of his life.

In Las Vegas, Richard married Debra McLain. They had two sons, Joshua Jon Webster in 1975 and Seth Michael Webster in 1977, both born in Spain.

Richard, separated from the Air Force in 1977 and attended Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. There, he met John Arana, his closest friend for the next 45 years.

In 1983, Richard felt compelled to re-enter the military to see active combat. While he served in Spain, his best friend from high school, Mike Kirkham, had served in Vietnam. Richard enlisted in the Army, Mike’s branch, and became a paratrooper and combat engineer with the 307th Engineers of the 82nd Airborne.

Richard was applying to special forces when he became reacquainted by mail with a college friend, Joann Cole. He had been divorced since 1980. The two agreed to meet in Washington DC in April 1986. Without any impending military conflicts, and with a desire to remarry, Richard took an honorable discharge and married Joann on October 4, 1986. They made their home in Grapevine, Texas.

In 1989, Richard’s greatest prayer was answered when his sons moved in with them. For the next many years, Richard studied, worked in various jobs, and stayed active in ministry and counseling.

Christianity had led Richard to become a lifelong learner. He started college during his military service, and later earned an undergraduate degree with a dual-major in English Literature and Psychology, many certificates and licenses including Clinical Pastoral Counseling and Family Therapy, a Master of Arts in Clinical Christian Counseling and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Asbury.

Richard was massively loyal. He prayed over long lists of family, friends, and acquaintances. He loved to work out, was a lifelong runner and occasional triathlete. He loved everything Christian, everything military, everything masculine like motorcycles, pens, and watches, as well as studying, writing, and journaling.

In 2004, Richard and Joann moved to Satellite Beach, Florida where he volunteered in ministry while working for Starbucks. They returned to Texas in October 2022.

On July 1, 2023, a stroke left Richard physically and mentally intact, but without speech. Still, he surrounded himself with church, friends, and family. His death was a shock to all.

Richard is survived by his wife Joann, his sons and their families; Josh and Alisha Webster, Aria Aguirre, Ashton Huffine, Corbin Webster, Portia Webster; and Seth and Shamain Webster, Kiana Webster, Safia Webster, and Elijah Webster. He is also survived by his siblings, Charles and Linda (Webster) Boyd, Dave and Sandy (Webster) Fimmel, and Chuck and Karen Webster, as well as their children and partners, and their children’s children; Mark and Traci (Boyd) Knothe, Mason Knothe, Megan Knothe; Scott and Jennifer (Boyd) Mclellan, Tyler Mclellan, Hailee Mclellan; Chuck and Holly Boyd, Seth Hyatt, Brayden Boyd, Rylan Boyd; Jeffery Fimmel; Tyler and Monica Webster, Jacob Webster, Olivia Webster; Chris and Katie (Webster) McGuire, Finley McGuire, Fletcher McGuire.

Friends are invited to services on Monday, July 15, 2024, 10:30 am at Oasis DFW, 801 S Collins, Arlington, Texas, and at 1:00 pm at the Dallas National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.

https://richardewebster.com/