A benefit disc golf “tournament” was held on January 28, 2006 for John Webster and his family. John was diagnosed earlier in the month as having a very agressive form of brain tumor that was in a very advanced stage of development. The one-round tournament was held at The Albert Schweitzer Nature Preserve disc golf course in Carmichael, also known as “Little Africa”. Turn-out was very good for the no-score event, and the weather even cooperated. The rains held off just long enough for the last of the raffle items to be handed out. Thank you to all who made the event a success, especially to those who drove from as far away as Nevada City and Santa Cruz to be a part of this final tribute to a good friend, a great human being, and a truly average disc golfer. My friend John left us on Wednesday, February 1, 2006, at the all-too-young age of 56. His final moments were spent in the loving company of his family, and I am told he was at peace. He will be missed. — Kevin Couch
The following people gave generously in support of John and his family during his final journey:
Mike McDonald, Mike Letson, Kristina Cavaghan and Mom, Cat Thall,
Ernie Valdez, David Malokpszy, Michael Travers, Chris White, David
Seebach, Mitch Carbone, Kirk Roberts, Mike Guerrero, Del Silva,
Matt Weishahn, Brooke Holton, Mark Wittingslow, Tim Griffin, Rob
Hamilton, Ray Bateman, Dead Doug Heffington, Troy Wescott, Bruce
Knisely, Mark Karlskind, Craig Mills, Dean and Denise Howell, Tom
Schott, Jon Hunter, Ron and Vicki Wetherell, Mrs W.P. Dwyer, Tom and
Jill Chapman, Marvin and Lisa Paul, A. Bell, Eduardo Coronado, Leota
Tyler, The Shane Company, Roseville, John Lipnisky, Jerry Lipnisky,
Maya Gonzales, “Skullmaster” Ron Brown III, Brian Becker, Michael
Kosinski, Shane Robinson, Jim Oates, Mike Michaels, Sean Wilburn,
John Kimball, Tyler Webster, Bill Kohler, Woodland Bradley, Jeff
Michener, Mike Corbett, Becki and Greg Zimmerman, Ed Thompson, Brad
Maycheck, Tim Guild, Chuck Woody, Mike “Chim Chim” Silva, Dan Earls,
Bryan Hill, Billy “Pain Train” Lane, Ronald Beard, Richard
Brumbeloe, James Brumbeloe, Ray Hanson, Felix McGowan, George
Kimmerlein, John Kimmerlein, Johny “Six Fingers” Johnson, Kent Jordan,
Gene Lamka, Jeff and Lisa Metteer, John Mitchell, Tony Couch,
Kevin Couch, Gene and Galer Barnes, Craig Getty, Mike and Patty Vander
Dussen, Mike Woodson and Leslie Harris, Chris Chapman
John Webster was an amazing man who touched all who he knew. (He’s laughing in Heavan about that statement)He was one of the most non-judgemental men I have ever known. When I first came to Sacramento 8 years ago and was not only new to the game but to the Mutha Putters club, John was one of the first people to give me a hardy welcome and be-friend me. I never have forgotten those moments. Whenever we had golfers stick around to have a “cooler” round after the club tournament each month, if John was a part of it, I was a part of it. Even if I wanted to go home and was tired or playing poor golf, the fact that I could play in John’s group made the difference for me and I never had a bad time. The great thing about John is that his spirit will keep living in all who knew him and therefore his good will continues to be upon this earth. Last summer, John had a cat whom he had to get rid of because it was making his wife Kathy get severe allergies. I was talking with John one day after Mutha Putters and he mentioned this to me. It had been months of searching for a home and keeping the cat mostly outside but inside as much as possible. He told me he would never bring this cat (named 2 black) to the SPCA or any organization where he would be unsure if it had a good home. On the spot something came over me and I said “I’ll take the cat”. This was despite the fact that I already had like 7 cats at my home both inside and outside. John’s energy was overwhelming and I just “knew” it was the right thing. When I said that I would take the cat he looked at me like he couldn’t believe it. When he actually gave me the cat he was visibally upset and called every day for about 2 weeks to make sure everything was ok. This is just one story of many about John that shows what kind of man he was. I am honored to have something that was a treasure to him. Ghandi once said “A country is only as good as the way it treats its animals”. I also think that a man or woman is only as good as how they treat their animals, and John was simply a good man. I love you John and always will.