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Jason Webb
The unexpected death of a relatively young teacher at Swain County Middle School sent a wave of sadness through the Swain County Schools community this past week.
Jason Gary Webb, 42, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 9. He lived in the Coopers Creek Community.
Webb was a familiar face to many in the community for his passion for teaching and contagious sense of humor. He taught 7th grade history and social studies at Swain Middle School for 12 years.
“Every educator begins a career with the wish to positively influence the lives of students. Mr. Webb met this goal without exception. We are all better people for having been part of Jason’s life,” said Swain Superintendent Mark Sale by email Monday. “Our hearts grieve for his family, students, and colleagues at his loss.”
Swain Middle Principal Tim Kurr was close to Mr. Webb. Having also taught social studies, he was Webb’s mentor his first three years as a teacher. He said Mr. Webb could make anybody laugh. He had a fantastic wit and fantastic sense of humor, Kurr said. He also was able to connect to students from all different backgrounds.
“Mr. Webb was one of the most compassionate individuals I ever met. He cared deeply for his students and loved to find out what made each student tick. Mr. Webb always strove to understand why students acted the way they did. This is one of the reasons that he had such tremendous patience,” he said. “His passion for things like trivia, his community, and history couldn't help but be absorbed by our students. I will miss him dearly, both as a colleague and as a friend."
Two of his colleagues shared the following for his eulogy. Mrs. Jennifer Oetting, who teaches Math at Swain Middle, worked with Mr. Webb on the same 7th grade team for 11 years.
"I will miss his steadfast support of our team, his interest in me as a friend, his enjoyment of his family and his enthusiasm for his students,” she shared.
Mr. Jimmy Leithauser, who teaches 7th grade science at Swain Middle, became close friends with Mr. Webb the past few years.
"Jason was my friend. He made me smile, laugh, he frustrated me, he amazed me and he guided me,” he said. “Jason’s heart, mind and soul surrounded this school, and this community. He only wanted the best for those around him. He strived to help those he taught and mentored them to become the best version of themselves. He gave me hope that one day I could have the impact that he had on a daily basis."
Sale held a moment of silence for Webb in his weekly video message to the district.
With summer classes back in session, the district announced Monday it would have no class on Wednesday, June 16 to honor Mr. Webb’s memory and allow for attendance to his funeral.
The funeral was held at Crisp Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. with burial to follow at Thomas Chapel Cemetery. The family received friends prior to the service. Many said he was a student favorite among their teachers.
More than 100 people responded to a Facebook post by the school district, many parents who praised Webb as a great teacher and wonderful person.
The family requested donations to PAWS Animal Shelter in lieu of flowers or Swain County Middle School 7th Grade Fund.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Webb's family, former students, Swain Middle School and our entire school system,” read the announcement from the school district.