Ronnie Webb

Memorial service for James Ronnie Webb, 72, of Canadian, TX will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the First Christian Church with Matt Cook, officiating. Cremation is under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, TX. He passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Amarillo, TX. Ronnie was born April 10, 1939 in Canadian, TX to Mr. Leslie Webb and Mrs. Genevieve (Traylor) Webb. Ronnie began his education at Valley Park School, and he transferred into Canadian in the third grade where he completed his elementary and high school years. He served as various class officers and was very active in sports, and loved playing basketball and football. No other alum was prouder of Canadian and his school. He often said that God started the earth in Canadian, and that its beauty constituted "heaven". Ronnie enrolled at Oklahoma State University in 1957, and graduated from there with a B.S. degree in Business in 1961. While at OSU, he became a member of the social fraternity, Sigma Nu. Through the ROTC program at OSU he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and rose to the rank of major. He met Betty Jeanne (B.J.) Haigler at OSU and they were married on June 4, 1961. Soon afterwards, he began his ten-year service in the Army. They were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Eustis, Virginia; Fort Lee, Virginia; and Heidelberg, Germany. He served two tours of duty in Viet Nam during which time he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a patriot who loved his country dearly. After his military discharge, he lived in Perryton, Texas; Watonga, Oklahoma; and in 1982 moved back to Canadian where he lived the rest of his life. Through these years, he ran cattle, worked in the trucking industry, and oil field industry, and worked as a counselor at the Hemphill County Boot Camp. Ronnie was always a Texas Cowboy who loved the ranch and the outdoor life. His heart was as big as his beloved state of Texas. He loved country music, playing guitars, singing and was a wonderful dancer. He also loved playing all sorts of games and was a practical jokester. As a young boy he was a member of the First Christian Church in Canadian and was baptized, professing his faith in the Lord. In his later years he became active in volunteering at the Edward Abraham Memorial Home, helping to lead the singing on Tuesdays, delivering doughnuts to the residents on Thursdays, and helping with their church service on Sundays. Ronnie was extremely proud of his children, Brandon, Derek, and Shannon. He taught them many practical life lessons, as well as important values. His influence and love passed on to his four grandchildren, Clayton, Gunner, Wade, and Zoe. He enjoyed being a part of their lives and attending as many of their activities and games as he could. His death leaves a big hole in the hearts of all who knew him, and his stories will live on forever. He was preceded in death by his son Derek, his parents, and his sister. He is survived by his son Brandon and his wife Cari and their sons Clayton and Wade from Canton, Oklahoma; his daughter, Shannon Leseney and her husband Jon and their children Gunner and Zoe from Hastings, Oklahoma. The family suggests memorials to the Edward Abraham Memorial Home, 803 Birch St., Canadian, TX 79014 or a Favorite Charity.