Johnny Ray Webber
October 18, 2023 at 1:09 p.m.
Johnny Ray Webber, of Liberty, has passed away at his home at the age of 74.
Born on August 10, 1949, to John Jr. and Elnora Webber, he was the oldest of five children. He grew up on a farm in Metamora and graduated from Brookville High School. In 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Kuehn, and together they bought a home in Liberty where they've lived ever since. Ten years later, they had me, their only child.
My dad was a man of stubbornness and contradictions, but his love for those he held dear was never in question. In all honesty, he either loved you - or he absolutely did not. There was no middle ground, and you never had to question which side you were on with him. He was over the top in all he did, hardworking, and full of ideas on what to build next on his property, which was typically another building or one tree stand too many.
One of Dad's greatest qualities was spinning tall tales of his adventures that would leave the whole room in laughter. One of his most memorable stories was about his pet monkey named George – a pet that never actually existed. If you know this story, I'm guessing you're now reading this with a smile on your face.
From an early age, Dad developed a love (aka obsession) for the outdoors, particularly hunting deer and turkey – 66 whitetail deer and 25 turkey mounts adorn the walls of his room. He spent hours upon hours every year scouting for the perfect buck and would not stop until he persevered. Many of his trophy bucks were featured in several hunting magazines and publications. The woods were his sanctuary, a place where he felt most alive. He taught me so much about the outdoors – how to hunt, how to tell the size of a buck by a rub, how to find mushrooms based on nearby trees, and he always tried to teach me what kind of tree one was by its bark. He always said, “You're going to need to know these things when I'm not here one day.” I'm yet to have anyone ask me about a tree, but I appreciate him teaching me what he knew.
Beyond his passion for hunting, Dad also loved playing softball, which he did well into his 30s. He also loved going out to eat – everywhere from Red Lobster to Chinese buffets, fishing, mushroom hunting, working outside, Corvettes, westerns, and driving my Mom crazy with constantly buying guns and knives.
But perhaps what he cherished most was being a Grandpa to Gavin and Jada. Always asking, “How are the kids? What are the kids doing?” He lit up every single time he saw them. He attended all their events until he just couldn't anymore, never wanting to miss anything, especially Gavin's basketball games. It gave him such joy to watch them grow.
In 2014, Dad had an accident cutting wood, something he'd done his entire life, and it resulted in a severe traumatic brain injury. Despite the challenges, he continued to fight and improve for several years thereafter but the last few have been rough. We are especially grateful to the University of Cincinnati Neurology Medical Center for giving us an extra 10 years with him. Because of this, we are donating his body to the UC Medical School, with hopes that one day medical advancements and research may help other families who are also suffering the devastating effects of a brain injury.
Dad is survived by his wife of 53 years and caretaker for the past 10, my mom-Debbie, myself, Shannon Davis (Cory Wollyung), grandchildren, Gavin and Jada Davis, brother Daryle Webber, brother-in-law George Moster, special nephew Nathan Moster, and several other nephews and nieces. And not to forget special pets - dogs Ginger, Fanci, Chloe, Diesel and Snickers, and eight horses who he said “did nothing but burn through hay.” He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Moster.
A special thank you to the friends who helped us and visited him over the years, and to Reid Hospice.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in his name, memorial contributions may be made to Ayla Lou's Butterflies Memorial Fund, Bath State Bank, 3095 Bath Rd, Bath, IN, 47010.
Mom, I appreciate you taking care of him for so long. I know it has not been easy on you, especially during the years when you were supposed to be enjoying retirement. Thank you for sacrificing yourself to keep him home and comfortable all these years.
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Johnny Ray Webber, of Liberty, has passed away at his home at the age of 74.
Born on August 10, 1949, to John Jr. and Elnora Webber, he was the oldest of five children. He grew up on a farm in Metamora and graduated from Brookville High School. In 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Kuehn, and together they bought a home in Liberty where they've lived ever since. Ten years later, they had me, their only child.
My dad was a man of stubbornness and contradictions, but his love for those he held dear was never in question. In all honesty, he either loved you - or he absolutely did not. There was no middle ground, and you never had to question which side you were on with him. He was over the top in all he did, hardworking, and full of ideas on what to build next on his property, which was typically another building or one tree stand too many.
One of Dad's greatest qualities was spinning tall tales of his adventures that would leave the whole room in laughter. One of his most memorable stories was about his pet monkey named George – a pet that never actually existed. If you know this story, I'm guessing you're now reading this with a smile on your face.
From an early age, Dad developed a love (aka obsession) for the outdoors, particularly hunting deer and turkey – 66 whitetail deer and 25 turkey mounts adorn the walls of his room. He spent hours upon hours every year scouting for the perfect buck and would not stop until he persevered. Many of his trophy bucks were featured in several hunting magazines and publications. The woods were his sanctuary, a place where he felt most alive. He taught me so much about the outdoors – how to hunt, how to tell the size of a buck by a rub, how to find mushrooms based on nearby trees, and he always tried to teach me what kind of tree one was by its bark. He always said, “You're going to need to know these things when I'm not here one day.” I'm yet to have anyone ask me about a tree, but I appreciate him teaching me what he knew.
Beyond his passion for hunting, Dad also loved playing softball, which he did well into his 30s. He also loved going out to eat – everywhere from Red Lobster to Chinese buffets, fishing, mushroom hunting, working outside, Corvettes, westerns, and driving my Mom crazy with constantly buying guns and knives.
But perhaps what he cherished most was being a Grandpa to Gavin and Jada. Always asking, “How are the kids? What are the kids doing?” He lit up every single time he saw them. He attended all their events until he just couldn't anymore, never wanting to miss anything, especially Gavin's basketball games. It gave him such joy to watch them grow.
In 2014, Dad had an accident cutting wood, something he'd done his entire life, and it resulted in a severe traumatic brain injury. Despite the challenges, he continued to fight and improve for several years thereafter but the last few have been rough. We are especially grateful to the University of Cincinnati Neurology Medical Center for giving us an extra 10 years with him. Because of this, we are donating his body to the UC Medical School, with hopes that one day medical advancements and research may help other families who are also suffering the devastating effects of a brain injury.
Dad is survived by his wife of 53 years and caretaker for the past 10, my mom-Debbie, myself, Shannon Davis (Cory Wollyung), grandchildren, Gavin and Jada Davis, brother Daryle Webber, brother-in-law George Moster, special nephew Nathan Moster, and several other nephews and nieces. And not to forget special pets - dogs Ginger, Fanci, Chloe, Diesel and Snickers, and eight horses who he said “did nothing but burn through hay.” He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Moster.
A special thank you to the friends who helped us and visited him over the years, and to Reid Hospice.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. If you wish to make a donation in his name, memorial contributions may be made to Ayla Lou's Butterflies Memorial Fund, Bath State Bank, 3095 Bath Rd, Bath, IN, 47010.
Mom, I appreciate you taking care of him for so long. I know it has not been easy on you, especially during the years when you were supposed to be enjoying retirement. Thank you for sacrificing yourself to keep him home and comfortable all these years.
Paid obituary