Michael Riley Webb's Obituary
On May 31, 1978 in Ocala, Florida debuted a would be football player named Michael Riley Webb, to parents Riley and Brenda Webb. At least that’s what the doctor decided based on this linebacker’s shoulders and coming in at a whopping 9 lbs. 4 oz. His big sister Anna was thrilled to have a “real baby” to push around in the stroller and help mama change his diapers. Those cute chubby cheeks and legs were irresistible. He soon started growing bigger and more mobile. These two became best buddies playing, sharing toys, helping mama and daddy with the horses, cows and farm animals, and of course the numerous dachshunds they owned over time, which became a staple of the family. Almost 4 years later the family welcomed another baby boy, Dusty. Now that the shoe was on the other foot , Michael thought Dusty was the perfect size to fit just right in the back of his new Tonka dump truck. Michael enjoyed being a middle brother after all he got to be a little brother and a big brother all at the same time. He liked Dusty so much that for his next birthday one of his presents was a T-shirt that read “Would you like a little boy? Take my brother.” Growing up in the Webb household included lots of great adventure and learning experiences. You might get to go stand 5 feet away from a 2000 pound bull, and play chicken with it. Or go walk over to a young calf bedded down and sit on his back. Or maybe go chase after the milk cow that your “baby brother” let loose. Or possibly get bucked off your new little pony who thought you were only holding him up from returning to his lush green pasture. Or jump down off your seesaw not seeing the baby chick below only to permanently disable the poor thing and earn the nickname “the breakdancing chicken” as it now seemed to bob it’s head to the beat of its own drum. Oh and there were swimming lessons, which basically meant sink or swim. Oh the stories , and how many times between brothers were uttered the words “watch this”. Jumping homemade ramps with BMX bikes, riding go carts, pulling wagons always with a dachshund in tow. The family attended church and instilled good morals and work ethic. They participated in many horse show events, from showing in halter to speed events such as barrel racing. Or taking it easy on a weekend trail ride. Other outdoor activities included fishing, hunting or wild hog races. Which must be explained, that’s when you strip down to your underwear so you don’t get too messy, and go jump on the back of one of your tame hogs who then runs you straight into a mud slurry at the very high rate of speed, then it becomes a “wild hog ride”. Fishing was always fun times. Sometimes it was a cane pole which yielded lots of big catfish or other times as Michael would say “I had him but he got away”. One memorable time all three Webb kids went down to the neighbors pond to do a little fishing, Michael anxious to catch the big one, does just that. All those Willows surrounding that pond were no match for him, that cast couldn’t help but get snagged in them. So of course you yank and pull and snap! You catch yourself right in the hand with that big old orange lure dangling with those sharp treble hooks. Run home crying to mama to help get them out. Of course summers got long and boring with parents at work, and since you think you’re grown up after all junior high is a big kid., right? You talk with your siblings and decide it’s perfectly fine to ride your bike down the dirt road and out alongside a major four-lane highway to the nearest gas station which happens to be 2 miles from home, just to get a 2 L of Dr Pepper and some candy. And of course not tell parents until you were grown and out of the house. Which to this day is still a sore subject. There are lots more memories, but not enough time or room to share them all. Michael was and still is a great little or big brother, depending on your perspective in the lineup. Many memories and stories will continue about this legend as the years go on. The fish tales will get bigger and longer.
Fun Facts about Michael: he graduated Hawthorne High School and had a host of buddies. After high school he attended Santa Fe Junior College. He later joined the National Guard, but due to a knee injury had to put that on hold. He always had a desire to be a police officer. But had to put that on hold as well. He worked for many years in pest control. Starting out working alongside brother, Dusty. And then eventually moving down south working for other pest control offices, eventually working his way up to management. As the years went by he continued to have that fire ignited to be a police officer. So he decided to go for it and entered the academy when he was 40 years old. Which got him on the brunt of many jokes. And awards at graduation for being the 2nd oldest in his class, and for working approximately 20 years prior as a pest control technician. The guys in his class thought that was quite a transition. After much perseverance and determination Michael finally achieved his dream and goal of being a police officer and graduated police academy March 7, 2019. He had the full support of all of his family, friends, and girlfriend Amber. Michael still very much enjoyed fishing, with buddies and his dad, Riley. As well as going to old car shows and meets with his dad. He enjoyed many outdoor activities in addition to fishing like, camping, hunting & boating . His favorite sports team was Texas A&M , which is why his favorite color is Maroon, hence the color of his Dodge truck, his first baby. His new baby was what he called his midlife crisis, 2020 Dodge Challenger 50th anniversary model, Scat Pack. He once mentioned that it would go 180, and when asked if he tried it , he replied “Not hardly, I don’t want to go to jail”. He went by the book in all parts of his life. He is so proud of his toys. He is a great son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, officer and friend. And will deeply be missed by all. He is survived by his girlfriend Amber Harrison, his parents Walter Riley Webb Jr (Colleen) and Brenda Odom. Sister Anna Plant (Jeff) , Brother Dustin Webb (Sarom), stepbrother Jason Kowalski (Rebecca), stepsisters Kim Bussey (Blaire), Jennifer Graviss (Adam), 4 nephews, 11 nieces, numerous aunts and uncles & cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Walter Riley “Foots” Webb & Elizabeth Carlton Tillman, and maternal grandparents Homer Charles “Marvin” Odom and Betty Jo Odom.
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