On Sunday, February 20, 2022 “Buddy” Earnie Lee Webb took flight to the serenity of Heaven above. As his failing health and age set in, we brought him closer to us where the blue skies and palm trees of sunny Arizona kept him warm and in good spirits through the last steps of his journey. Comfort of the family being close brought him happiness and love every day. Talking to old friends and cousins from Hugo to Fort Collins on social media and phone calls brought real joy to the end of his life. In the nighttime when all was quiet and calm, the dogs at the foot of his bed brought comfort and serenity to help ease his passing in the most peaceful way. As the final curtain on this life chapter drew to a close, he was welcomed home into the loving arms of his mother, father, brother, angels and many wagging tails by the rainbow bridge.
Buddy was born January 10, 1941 in Hugo, CO to loving parents Juanita Elizabeth Webb (Middleton) and Earnest Everett Webb. His Father Earnest and Grandfather James were generations who homesteaded in Karval, CO in 1910. Buddy, his parents and his beloved brother Donnie Dean Webb have awaited reuniting in another life since Donnie passed away far too young in 1961. Buddy often visited graveside in Hugo to leave festive sentiment to honor his family.
During his school aged days, he was part of the Hugo baseball, basketball, football and track teams. He graduated in the class of 1959 after honors of being football captain and class officer, student council officer and N.H.S. officer. He was authentic, a real people person, friendly and social; spreading his easy-going charm to those lucky enough to cross his path. Many fond of what a good guy he lived to be, his sense of humor and his laugh will be missed. He was good spirited and always kidding around to make people laugh. Buddy was kindhearted and he was the nicest man who would do anything to help anyone, even if he couldn’t help himself. He was a hardworking man, helping out at Shermans, the family store in Hugo in his younger years. His career as Director of Passenger Services with Continental Airlines relocated him from Hugo to Denver, CO and off to Los Angeles, CA then Miami, FL and Eagle Rock, MO. This career afforded him his most memorable visit to his most favorite place traveled- Kauai, HI. He worked in CO at Ft. Collins Pipe and moved on to Conroe, TX at Lonestar Steel then back to CO at Centennial Airport. Working many years in Ft. Collins with Poudre R-1 School District, later owning Webb’s Western Store in Laporte, CO and Pa’s Second Time Around Furniture store in Ft. Collins. Then his last lines of work in Hugo for the Postal Rural Route kept him busy before eventually residing in La Junta, CO and ultimately Glendale, AZ.
Even through all the work he did, he always made sure his family was taken care of and really cared deeply for all his children. His daughter thought he was awesome and felt she wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to be her dad. God blessed her with the most loving caring dad ever. He was a loving Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. The joy his family brought him was heartwarming and unmatched. Buddy is survived by his daughter Tori and his two sons Darren & Steve, his two granddaughters Amy & Lynette and his six grandsons Chris, Shane, Dominic, Jake, Tyler & Trey, his four great granddaughters and six great grandsons. His grandchildren admire the legacy of their Pa/Great Pa and will forever cherish memories made with him over the long life he lived. He was such a supportive, patient Pa and always gave the best advice and driving directions. Many surviving cousins and friends are not to be forgotten, as they all meant a lot to Buddy. Buddy loved many pets through his lifetime and two special family dogs kept a close eye on his comfort during his final months of life. Mama Cat, her baby Tin Cup and his dogs: Butch, Wrangler, Emily, and Sir Lance A Lot “Little Lance” were beloved pets that didn’t reach the lifespan Buddy did but will rest with him eternally.
Buddy enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting. Later he kept busy with his sons and grandsons rodeoing as well as keeping close tabs on college and NFL football. He was a lifelong Broncos fan and liked to watch many other sports. Being at the Homecoming Parades and rooting on the Pirates at Hugo football games and his granddaughter cheerleading were some of his best memories with his Uncle Jack in the back of that little white pick-up truck. He was so proud of his granddaughter being homecoming royalty and he was a big supporter lending time to make special recipe homemade ice cream for the ice cream social fundraisers; happily, a past time for him ha ha. Something he had lots of fun with were visits from his family, walks at the park and feeding the ducks- and squirrels too. Having grown up in the small country town he really loved to watch old westerns, “grit tv”. Up to his final days he tuned into the old black and white shows, and still sent cards and letters out in the post mail, but he also was up with the times of technology and entertainment tv. What a phenomenal timeline of advancements he witnessed over his lifespan with our world and ways of life.
Buddy never let anything get him down too hard and let nature refresh his mind every chance he got. He was active, driving and independent up until the final couple months of his time. He survived heart troubles and beat jawbone cancer up through his seventies. It is heartbreaking that Liver Cancer overcame him for his final battle, he gave his all to try to work around it, and he will be truly missed as he left too soon. The family has chosen to honor his desire to hold a small burial of his ashes at the Evergreen Cemetery in Hugo where he will be laid to rest next to his mother, father and brother sometime in late Spring/Early Summer.
“Buddy” Earnie Lee Webb would smile from the heavens if you would remember to live and love life to its fullest, with no regrets and Be Kind to one another. May you blow bubbles in the wind and let music speak to you like some favorites that honor him; My Buddy- Doris Day and When the Grass Grows Over Me- Conway Twitty. Our Pa will be loved forever and always.