Obituary for John Karl Webb, Jr.  "Papa"

John Karl Webb, Jr. passed away at Our Lady of the Haven of Peace in Pensacola, FL on August 4, 2022.  John was born September 5, 1928 in Summit, MS to John Karl, Sr and Maude Van Norman Webb.  The family moved to Memphis, TN where John attended St. Thomas Grade School, Christian Brothers High School graduating in 1947, as an All Region Football player.  He attended Memphis State before joining the United States Air Force.  While in Memphis he met the love of his life, Mary Patricia  "Trisha" McSweeney on a blind date.  They married on April 12, 1950 and remained married for 67 years before her death in 2017.

John served in the Air Force as an Aviation Ground Control Approach Operator and Repair Technician while stationed at Brookley Field, Mobile, AL.  After completing his military service, he worked for Philco Corporation and taught long-range radar operations and electronic fundamentals to Air Force personnel stationed at Brookley Field.  In 1956, John transitioned to Civil Service, where he maintained the air field's aviation flight simulators.   The Webbs resided in Mobile, Alabama 1953 to 1965, before John transferred to Sacramento, CA to work with the Air Forces' F-105 Aircraft and the " Wild Weasel Project ."

In 1965, he joined American Electronic Laboratories in Colmar, PA, where he managed various electronic test systems for the Navy in Philadelphia.  The Webbs  took up residence in Lansdale, PA from 1965 to 1974, before moving to Pensacola, FL in 1974 where John initially worked at Eglin Air Force Base before joining TRW as a test engineer working on digital communications systems.  John established his own business in Pensacola that developed fuel-quantity indicator systems for various aircraft and vehicles.   A lifelong Inventor, he holds a number of personal and government patents.

In 1985 he was employed at Saufley Field as an electronics technician in the Visual Information (VI) Repair Shop and later he was reassigned to the position of logistics management specialist.  After 37 years of dedicated government service, he retired from Civil Service at the age of 81.   His career spans more than 50 years in support of the government including his time as a Systems Engineer/Technical Assistance Support Contractor.  He always carried out his obligations and provided the support needed to train our nation's airmen and sailors.

Together John & Trisha raised six children and instilled in them faith and family under the tenants of the Catholic Church.  John attended Pensacola's St. Paul's Catholic Church for 47 years.  John and Trisha had a life well lived and were blessed with 28 direct family descendants.

Survived by:  Three sons, John Karl Webb III, Bryan Patrick Webb (Julie) of Pensacola, FL; Kevin McSweeney Webb (Kristin) of Strongsville, OH two daughters, Mary Shawn Webb Russell (Tom) of Bolivia, NC, and Catherine Nina Marie Webb Blay (Eric) of Pensacola, FL.  He is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Jenny Kathleen Knapp, Patrick Michael Webb, Elizabeth Ann Sullivan (BJ - fiancé), Jacob William Webb (Hannah), Gabrielle Katherine Webb Arnette (Rob), Jacquelyn Nina Forte (Raymond), Alexandria O'Connell Blay (Gregory - fiancé), Charles Joseph Blay (Nicole), Tessa Ashley Webb, and 13 great-grandchildren: Paige & Randle Knapp, Rockne Bryan Patrick & Vance Bjorn David Webb, Teresa Marie, Jude Francis, Dominic Xavier & Clare Gianna Forte, Daniel Sullivan V, Molly McSweeney Brown, Alton Vander & Margot Juliette Blay, Mabel Rose Arnette.

Preceded in death by his wife, Mary Patricia McSweeney, eldest son, Joseph Edward Webb, parents and only sister, Mary Anna Webb.

Visitation will be held 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 13 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Road, Pensacola, FL 32503.

Rosary will be held at 10:45 a.m. Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, 1300 E Hayes Street, Pensacola, FL 32503.

Pallbearers: Patrick Webb, Jacob Webb, Charles Blay, Raymond Forte, BJ Stevens, Gregory Digby and Rob Arnette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pensacola Catholic High School, 3043 W Scott Street, Pensacola, FL 32505.

Special thanks to the Staff and Administrators at The Haven of Our Lady of Peace, especially Kathy, Kathleen, Shae, Jo, Yolanda and Sally who cared for our father. We would also like to recognize the caring staff from Vitas Hospice.