Photos: Remembering J.B. Webster – memorial at Alki UCC

There were smiles as well as sadness as J.B. Webster‘s fellow Seafair Commodores joined other friends, family and co-workers in celebrating his life during a memorial service today at Alki UCC. Mr. Webster’s family granted us permission to take photographs during the service; it’s been just five days since the first report of his death after a short illness. His daughter Tyler Webster played “Let It Be” during today’s service:

His son Logan Webster also played piano at the service (“Chimes“). More images from the memorial, and details of the service, ahead:

That’s the crowd spilling out Alki UCC’s sanctuary door. Pastor Jay Kelly delivered the eulogy and prayer:

Among those sharing memories, Joe Gong:

Photojournalist Christopher Boffoli covered the service for WSB and heard highlights of Mr. Webster’s life, as follows:

He was born in 1942 at West Seattle Hospital at the corner of California and Alaska (this drew a roar of laughter from the crowd). He applied for officer candidate school and scored so high on the test that he was accused of cheating. He was eventually given a high level of military clearance but his employer (Boeing) convinced him to stay on working in the private sector and his military service was deferred. He worked in California as a private defense contractor. In the late 60’s and early 70’s he “checked out” and became a hippie, followed the teachings of a maharaja. His son Eli was born at home with midwives and a crowd of about 50 people present. In later years he became an entrepreneur and real estate agent, and of course was a very charismatic and popular member of the Seafair Commodores.

Read at the service by Catherine Alexander, 1 Corinthians 13:

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Earlier coverage: Obituary (with dozens of tributes left in the comment section), here; fund set up for family, here.

5 Replies to "Photos: Remembering J.B. Webster - memorial at Alki UCC"

  • christopherboffoli April 28, 2009 (5:26 pm)

    Flickr stream with larger versions of these images and a few more can be found here:

    http://tiny.cc/TDQhg

  • Chris Gendrin April 28, 2009 (6:44 pm)

    My thoughts & prayers go out to all the families JB touched, May God bless you & protect you all.

  • Shirley Ross April 28, 2009 (8:48 pm)

    It is a very sad time for all of the family and our hearts go out to each of you. When I was in High School I use to babysit Kathy and Rob. My Mom and JB’s mom were best of friends. I remember when JB went off to Yale, I think I still have a doll that he sent to me when he was there. He made a tremendous impression on everyone he met and he will be missed greatly. Gary and I send our love and sympathy to all of the family.

  • Allison Carver April 29, 2009 (4:52 pm)

    Just got to know JB and Christi on the soccer sidelines these past couple years as Logan and my son Zack played soccer together. This news is just so unbelievably sad. Our world can be so dark, that it is especially painful to have a ray of light like JB leave us. But not entirely: from what I read about his impact on people, it’s good to know that much of West Seattle is carrying a little JB sparkle. Where there is kindness, friendliness, thoughtfulness and generosity, we’ll get to see him shine from time to time. My condolences and prayers are with you, Christi, and your precious kids.

  • Nancy Hallberg April 29, 2009 (7:59 pm)

    Dear Catherine and Rob,I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I didn’t know JB, but knowing you two, I know he must have been a fine fellow traveler on this earth. The unexpected loss of a loved one is the hardest of pain to bear. My love and thoughts are with you. Nancy

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