Audley Mandeville Webster Jr.'s Obituary
Audley Mandeville Webster Jr. passed away peacefully at home following post-operative complications. His wife, Janis, was able to be by his side in the end, thanks to the help of The Palace Renaissance and Royal staff, as well as Vitas Hospice.
Audley was born on Christmas Day 1952, in Colón, Panamá, the eldest child of Agnes and Audley Webster Sr, and brother to siblings Daniel, Jane Anne, Mary, and Susan. A lifelong learner, Audley graduated valedictorian from Paraiso High School, received Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, and an MBA from Harvard University. He went on to have an influential 40+ year career in the broadband industry spanning many different companies and endeavors, most recently Sand Cherry, from which he retired in 2021.
Audley married his college sweetheart, Janis Eleanor Tompkins, in 1976 after a game of Truth or Dare brought them together in 1974. Truth: “Who in this room would you like to get to know more?” Audley’s answer: “Janis.” The beginning of their marriage took them from Indiana to Washington, D.C., where they lived for 14 years. Their love did not falter in sickness when Janis had two disabling strokes and brain surgery in 1989. They adapted to a new phase of their lives with Audley always ensuring Janis was taken care of and could live her fullest life. Shortly thereafter, they welcomed daughter Anaïs and moved to Colorado in 1991, where they called home until they moved to Florida in 2024. A very involved father, Audley shared his love of reading with Anaïs from a young age, teaching her how to read before she started kindergarten. Favorite memories include weekend science experiments with slime, receiving postcards from all over the world while he was away on business, the father-daughter dance at Anaïs & Michael’s wedding, and watching him meet his first grandchild. He loved singing to and playing silly games with his granddaughters as he wholeheartedly embraced his new role of Granddad.
Audley is survived by his wife Janis, daughter Anaïs (Michael), brother Daniel, sister Jane Anne (Carlos), sister Mary (Joseph), sister Susan, granddaughters Serenity & Juniper, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Audley Sr.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 8th at 2 pm at Van Orsdel Funeral & Cremation Services in Miami, FL, followed by a Requiem Mass on Monday, June 9th at 11:30 am at St. Louis Catholic Church. The Sunday memorial service will also be livestreamed on the Van Orsdel website from 2:30-5:30 pm EDT.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Audley Webster Memorial Endowment Fund, which supports the Audley Webster Memorial Essay Contest, an annual event held for all students enrolled in first-year writing courses at the University of Miami, where Audley Webster Sr. was a professor for many years.
The family would like to thank the Baptist Hospital ICU staff, Vitas Hospice, and The Palace Renaissance & Royale.
What’s your fondest memory of Audley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Audley?
Share a story where Audley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Audley you’ll never forget.
How did Audley make you smile?