James Ernest Webb

James Ernest Webb, 90, of the Town of Sevastopol, WI, was called Home to be with the Lord, Thursday morning, February 20, 2025 while in Naples, FL.

He was born December 5, 1934 in Chicago, IL, to Samuel Gibson Webb and Rose (Hefferle) Webb. James was raised Catholic and grew up attending All Saints Catholic Church and Grade School in Chicago. He graduated from St. Rita High School in Chicago with the class of 1952. James went on to attend the University of Evansville in Indiana where he studied Marketing and served as House Manager for his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1957.

He then served his country with the United States Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. James first met Regina Elsbeth Laabes at a dance in Germany where they could not understand each other's language but found a special joy in dancing together that continued throughout James' life. They were united in marriage in Germany on April 11, 1960. James was honorably discharged from the Army in June, 1960 with the rank of Sergeant. He returned home to the U.S. with Regina and resided in Chicago.

James began his career working in marketing for the Sinclair Oil Co. from 1960 to 1972. In 1973, he joined Yogi Bear's Jellystone Resorts as Franchise Sales Director and moved to Sturgeon Bay, WI where he and Regina continued raising their family. James and Regina, along with business partners Charles and Joyce Chouinard, subsequently acquired ownership of the company. They succeeded in growing the business and expanding the number of Jellystone Park locations throughout the U.S. and into Canada as well. They eventually sold the business to Leisure Systems Inc., and James continued working for the new owners until 1992. He then worked as Sales Manager for C&S Manufacturing in Sturgeon Bay from 1993 until his retirement in 2004.

James was active in numerous franchise industry associations, including as a board member for the American Land Development Association headquartered in Washington, D.C. He was also a well-known presenter at camping industry events and at the annual Jellystone Resorts symposiums hosted by Leisure Systems. In his honor, Leisure Systems created and annually presents the James Webb Spirit Award to an individual who embodies the same spirit, enthusiasm, and commitment to Jellystone Parks. James was the consummate salesman and loved to watch a good pitch man at work. He always maintained his integrity and put the customers' best interests first, even if it meant talking them out of a deal.

James and his family attended St. Joseph Parish in Sturgeon Bay where he served on the St. Joseph Educational Endowment Committee for many years. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus and Rotary International. James also served on the Bayside Cemetery Board of Directors. He was a longtime member and strong supporter of the Door County YMCA.

James loved to travel, especially on many trips to Germany and Austria with Regina. Since 2000, they spent their winters in Marco Island, FL. James was a strong believer in education and a voracious reader of history and non-fiction. Above all, the most important thing to him was his family.

James will be missed by his wife, Regina, with whom he was blessed to share nearly 65 years of marriage; daughter, Christine (Keith) Miller of the Town of Sevastopol, WI; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Webb of Toronto, Canada; granddaughters, Katharine (Dan Winkelman) Miller of Pewaukee, WI, Caroline (Trey) Ryan of Rochester, MN, and Anna (fiancé, Tom Anderson) Miller of Minneapolis, MN; great-granddaughter, Eleanor Winkelman; brother, Jerome (Elaine) Webb of Chicago, IL; niece and nephew, Sarah Webb and Peter Webb, other nieces and nephews in Germany; other relatives; and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Thomas Webb (1999); siblings-in-law, Horst (Kate) Laabes, Winfried (Annemarie) Laabes, and Waltraud (Bernhard) Kitta; and other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 110 N. 5th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay with Fr. Matthew Rappl as celebrant. James will be laid to rest in Bayside Cemetery in the Town of Sevastopol, next to his son, Thomas. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Army and V.F.W. Post #3088.

Visitation for family and friends will be held after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay with a parish wake service to conclude the evening at 7:00 p.m., led by Dcn. Edward Winter. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:40 a.m.

Memorials may be given in James' name for the Door County YMCA (1900 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.doorcountyymca.org/donate); the Door County Medical Center Foundation (P.O. Box 230, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.dcmedical.org/foundation); or the St. Joseph Educational Endowment Trust (526 Louisiana Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235).

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of James may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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