<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p><em>James Willis Webb Jr.</em> passed away peacefully in his home in Tucker, GA on October 1, 2024. Jim lived a remarkable life, traveling the world, creating businesses, earning a graduate degree, and raising three loving children: Tyler, James, and Katherine. Although Jim has left this earth, his presence and spirit shaped the lives of many. His journey was marked by honor and integrity, and his legacy endures within the hearts of his family, friends, and classmates. </p>
<p>Jim’s journey to West Point began in Tarboro, NC, where he excelled academically and in sports in high school. While Jim may have left Tarboro to endure the rigors of West Point, Tarboro’s influence was never far from Jim’s heart. His southern charm and North Carolina accent were captivating and led to many friendships. His path to West Point during the Vietnam War was not an easy journey and required a deep sense of patriotism, intellectual ability, courage, and a resolute spirit willing to undergo extreme personal challenges to become an Army officer. Jim embraced this challenge with grace, determination, and an unwavering sense of humor. “Spider,” as he was affectionally known within Company C-1, always had a joke or inspirational story to offer during stressful situations. During plebe year, Jim endured the stresses of hazing during meals with a positive, infectious attitude and unflappable confidence. He repeatedly challenged the upperclassmen during meals to grant “fallouts” based upon rounds of trivia, jokes, and even making an upperclassman’s new class ring magically disappear and reappear. Jim’s strategy and wit resulted in numerous fallouts, benefitting his companymates. His innate leadership was evident in his superb performance regarding military tasks. Humility and quiet determination guided Jim, as he was always seeking ways to help others succeed, whether that meant tutoring a roommate or encouraging a teammate during intramural sports. </p>
<p>The challenges of West Point builds character a day at a time. Jim emerged at the end of his four years with convictions sharpened by adversity. The friendships formed amidst the daily challenges and obstacles are unlike any other, leading to lifelong friends with an unwavering commitment to service, to country, and to each other. Some comments from C-1 classmates upon learning of Jim’s passing reflect the impact he had upon his brothers: “During the toughest moments, it was Jim’s encouragement that carried our squad through each day.” Another added: “I will never forget the way he treated everyone with respect, no matter their rank or background. His kindness never wavered.” </p>
<p>Upon graduation in June 1976, Jim joined the Long Gray Line, stepping out into a world in need of principled leadership. His transition from cadet to officer began at the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, GA. From there, he deployed to Germany during the height of the Cold War and served with the 3d Armored Division from 1977 to 1980. Subsequently, his last active-duty assignment was with the 2d Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment from 1981 to 1982. Whether leading a platoon of soldiers during a field problem or in garrison, Jim served as a mentor to his young soldiers and served with distinction.</p>
<p>After his military service, Jim had a successful civilian career working in the aerospace and defense industries. He also developed international business experience working for many European and Asian corporations. In between assignments, he obtained a graduate certificate in knowledge management from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the George Washington University in 2004.</p>
<p>Additionally, Jim served as a principal staff member in two successful U.S.-based startups. One of his successful start-up companies was Hankor, LLC, a material science research company providing innovative solutions in fire safety. The assets of his company were sold in 2014 to Chinese investors and operations moved to China.</p>
<p>Jim had a deep sense of community, shown through his lifelong commitment to the Boy Scouts of America. He served at the local and national level for Scouts developing men and women of strong character and values. At one point, Jim served as the director of the West Los Angeles Area Council for Boy Scouts. </p>
<p>Jim retired in October 2021 and moved to Tucker to be closer to family. During his military and civilian jobs, Jim traveled extensively overseas, particularly to France and South Korea. Ever the loving father, Jim’s children recall that he would bring them unique gifts and stories of his travels, inspiring in them a deep love of various cultures and foods from abroad. His legacy is written not only in the record of his accomplishments, which were many, but in the character that he embodied and the example he set for his children and others to emulate. Jim was a man of high integrity and stalwart character. He was also an exceptional businessman and, most of all, a loving and dedicated father to his three children and to Lyra, his granddaughter. </p>
<p>His service to his nation and to his community served as a model for his children to follow. He taught them moral values and dedicated his life to developing their character and sense of right from wrong. It is said that a life well lived is reflective of the people whose lives you impact in a positive way. In that regard, Jim Webb lived a bountiful life. Well Done; Be Thou at Peace. </p>
<p><em>— Family and Classmates</em></p>
</body>
</html>