James Webb

I was born in San Rafael, California on March 18, 1949 – first born child of James Sr. and Elizabeth Webb. I happily grew up in Marin City, California with what would eventually be five additional siblings. I would attend elementary schools in Marin City and Sausalito. I would graduate from junior high school in Sausalito.

I attended Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley, CA. I enjoyed my high school years. I played sports, made friends and enjoyed my teachers, some of which played a significant role in my intellectual and personal development.

I graduated in 1967 and began college at San Francisco State University. Issues like the war in Vietnam and the civil rights movement were happening then and would significantly influence my decision to work in the public sector. After attending San Francisco State for two years, in 1969, I transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). In 1970, I participated in the UCLA’s education abroad program, attending the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It would be my first time traveling abroad and interacting extensively with a foreign culture. I returned in 1971 and completed my studies in 1972, graduating with a B.A. in political science.

I enjoyed my experience abroad and learning about and living in a foreign environment – so much that in my senior year of college in 1972, I applied for entry into the United States Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. diplomatic service. In 1973, I was accepted into the State Department to begin my Foreign Service career.

In the twelve years I served in the Foreign Service, I would have assignments in Peru, Hong Kong, Fiji, Taiwan and Washington, D.C. My years with the State Department gave me a broad, expansive view of the world. I learned it’s not one world and that there are many, many ways to view the same situation, issue or problem. I learned that working together and using reason to find common ground is indeed the best way to resolve differences though that can sometimes be difficult. This view of the world would remain with me throughout my life after leaving the Foreign Service.

In 1980, while on assignment in Fiji, I met my future wife, Siliani Fetu’u, a daughter from the island Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. We married in May of 1982 and by May of 1983, we welcomed our first child, James Fetu’u Webb.

In 1985, I left the Foreign Service to return to the Bay Area. I very much enjoyed my Foreign Service years but it was time to move on. In 1987 I began attendance at California State University at Hayward (now East Bay) and in 1989 received my master’s degree in public administration. However, in 1987 I started working for the City of Sunnyvale as a member of the City Manager’s Office. I would remain with Sunnyvale until January 1999. The Sunnyvale years were crucial to my understanding of how local government works.

In December 1989, we welcomed our second child, son Christopher Jeremy Sosefu Webb.

In 1999, I left the City of Sunnyvale to work for the newly elected Mayor of San Jose, Ron Gonzales. Mayor Gonzales appointed me as a member of his senior staff. The eight years I worked in the Mayor’s Office were intense, exhilarating and the most satisfying work years of my life because, with some great colleagues (several of whom became lifelong friends), I helped to make a real difference in the community of my residence. During those years in the Mayor’s Office the diplomatic skills I learned in the Foreign Service and knowledge about local government I learned while working in Sunnyvale were very helpful to me in getting things done.

When the Mayor termed out in 2007, I stayed on with the City of San Jose as the government affairs person for the Airport. I would retire from the City in January 2018.

Although I did not accomplish several personal and professional goals in my life (such as working in the White House for the President), overall, I have no complaints. I was dealt a pretty good hand in life. I was fortunate enough to be born an American, a Californian, Black and a Webb. I always felt that was a strong hand to start life with.

And I had a good life; one filled with a variety of satisfying personal and professional experiences. Although I had some disappointing experiences, for the most part I met many, many good and interesting people throughout my life everywhere I went. On the home front, together with my wonderful wife, we raised our two sons who grew into two very good men and my closest friends. Together with my wife Siliani (the heart of our family) our sons, daughter-in-law Samantha and granddaughters Jadyn and Sydney, we built a strong and loving family. In fact, no one could be prouder of their family than I was of mine. They all were literally my pride and joy and without a doubt my greatest accomplishment in life.

Now I have moved on to my next great adventure: finding out what happens when this life is over. I don’t know what to expect but I hope I will see the many family members and friends who have preceded me and that we will enjoy each other’s company again.

I am preceded in passing by my beloved parents James Sr. and Elizabeth Webb, siblings Margaret Ruth, Willie B., Evelyn and Victoria Webb, my paternal grandparents John and Willie B. Webb, my maternal grandparents Robert and Caroline Tademy, my beloved aunt Laura Cain and many, many other aunts and uncles.

I leave behind my wonderful wife Siliani, my sons James and Christopher, my daughter-in-law Samantha, my granddaughters Jadyn and Sydney, and several other nephews and nieces. May you all continue to live good lives and carry the family’s name forward with dignity, strength and pride. I’ll be waiting to greet each of you on the Other Side when your time comes.