Ray Darwin Webb, Sr.

2004 Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Ray was born March 23, 1929 in Cobbtown, Georgia and has been a resident of Effingham County since 1935.

            He began working at age twelve delivering papers.  He became active in Boy Scouting and served as a unit master in camping, swimming and as a counselor.  He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Order of the Arrow for excellence I scouting.          

            At Effingham Academy, he played basketball, baseball, and ran track from 1944-1946.  In 1946 he won first play in District for shot put and low hurdles and was also on the first place team in relay for the State.  He continued to play baseball and basketball while attending the University of Georgia.

            Ray graduated from the University of Georgia in 1950 and from the Medical College of Georgia in 1955.  In the following year he returned to Springfield to open his medial practice which covered a span of thirty-seven years.

            He continued to enjoy playing softball for seven more years and a tremendous home run hitter and also participated as the Effingham County High School Physician.

            In 1969, Ray was instrumental in establishing Effingham Hospital, providing thirty-three years of service to that facility.  He fully retired in 2001 following a stroke.  He now participates in their Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab program three times a week.