Running Away and Finding Home: An Abandoned Child's Journey to Hope and Healing

By Tommy B Webb, Brooke Webb-Gennusa and Rosie J. Williams

Join us for this remarkable journey of resilience, persistence, and survival as a trauma-impacted, six-year-old boy dares to leave the only home he’s ever known. In Soo Park was born during the Korean War facing hardships and trials that far surpass the capability of a small child: born to an alcoholic prostitute, not welcome in his hut of

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Academy Elite
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781640858732

Book preview

Endorsements

I met Judge Tom Webb about twenty-five years ago at National Guard conference…amazed at his wonderful story…not a dry eye in the room including mine. It is incredible to think that a young boy around seven years of age could make these types of life-changing decisions and then become a Marine and a Judge. Judge Webb is proof that anyone can make a difference and that everyone is special and has value. Because of Tom, I am a better leader in my community and most of all a better person. Judge Webb, I would like to thank you for sharing your story, one that changed my life and made me a better man.

~Joe Spraggins, Brigadier General

(Retired) USAF

Executive Director Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Judge Tommy Webb’s story is one I could listen to over and over. As a colleague in the National Judges’ Association, I have heard it many times, and each time it fascinates me even more. When I found out that it would now be in the form of a book, I was ecstatic. It will allow more people to experience his amazing journey from Korean War orphan to an outstanding, non-attorney judge in the United States. Judge Webb’s speeches captivate audiences bringing tears of sadness, joy, and laughter. The emotional roller coaster of his story is one I’ll never forget, and it makes him a highly sought-out speaker for schools, clubs, and businesses.

~Judge Bill Sutton

Wise Choice Alternatives Inc, President

A rare and remarkable book, that is intriguing from the first page to the last. Judge Webb’s life story is an inspiration to ALL readers. Many lives are better because of the difference made by one caring person sharing the story of hope. He is a Hero!

~Allan Cady

CFO, Automotive Investment Group

Past President, Mesa West Rotary Club

Assistant Governor, Rotary District #5495

When I read Running Away and Finding Home, I was immediately reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. You will be challenged to assess how you value people. This is a great reminder to view others as created in the image of God. I strongly recommend this book!

~Kendall Franklin

Lead Pastor, Crossroads Nazarene Church

Chandler, AZ

Running Away and Finding Home

An Abandoned Child’s Journey

to Hope and Healing

Judge Tommy B. Webb

with

Brooke Webb-Gennusa

and

Rosie J. Williams

Foreword by Dr. Kelly Gillespie

An Author Academy Elite Book

Igniting Souls

www.authoracademyelite.com

Copyright © 2019 by Tommy Webb, Brooke Webb-Gennusa,

and Rosie J. Williams.

All rights reserved under the International Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by Author Academy Elite.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019912647

Paperback: 978-1-64085-871-8

Hardback: 978-1-64085-872-5

Ebook: 978-1-64085-873-2

Photographs were provided by the individuals in the photographs unless otherwise noted.

Family photograph taken by Steve Attig and used by permission.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

This edition printed in 2019.

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter One Injured

The Day Roy’s World Exploded

Chapter Two Neglected

The Day I Decided to Run Away

Chapter Three Survived

My Safe Haven

Chapter Four Rescued

A New Name and a New Family

Chapter Five Adopted

I Found My Home

Chapter Six Moved

Developing New Roots

Chapter Seven Overwhelmed

Turbulent Teen Years

Chapter Eight Faithful

My Family and Career

Chapter Nine Called

From Prodigal to Pastor

Chapter Ten Valued

The Most Important Lesson

Chapter Eleven Appointed

Non-Attorney Judge’s Reflections of Making a Difference

Chapter Twelve Destined

Making a Difference

Foreword

I am honored to write this foreword for Running Away and Finding Home. The true story of a war orphan from Korea in the early 1950s, Park In Soo (Judge Tom Webb), will capture your heart as you discover his capacity to generate strength and hope in unthinkable circumstances. This book will resonant with all readers as they uncover the blessings that come through faith even to a young boy who was malnourished, slept in a dumpster with garbage for covers, and had not experienced the love of a family.

I have known Judge Webb for over thirty-five years. During this time, he has been my pastor, counselor, and trusted friend. I first heard Tom’s story in one of his numerous keynote speaking engagements. The audience experienced a full range of emotions, laughter to tears, as they engaged and listened.

Tom is a generous man who seeks first to serve the Lord. Taking this powerful story to print will allow a broader audience to share in the encouraging story of Tom’s life and truly see how God’s power works in His timing.

Tom writes: "I heard a quiet, soothing voice ask; I am the light for the world. Will you share that light with others?" Tom took this personal message from God and has lived his life as a light for others. Through his stories, through his speaking, and now through his book, we can see Tom’s commitment to sharing the true meaning of life and making the world a better place. God’s grace in Tom’s life is visible through his words. Expect the book to impact your life!

Dr. Kelly Gillespie

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker

Acknowledgments

Judy, my wife and partner, your unwavering love and support of us in our forty-eight years of marriage has been the catalyst for my success! Your ability to delight in my endeavors and transform dreams into goals has been instrumental in creating a life worth living. I am forever grateful for you.

Brooke, my daughter, your ability to articulate, painting with words a colorful portrait of a story, is a remarkable gift. Your mother and I truly value your willingness and commitment to dive headfirst into our dream with us.

Rosie, as the point-person for the book, we greatly appreciate your enthusiasm to share Tommy’s story. Thank you for leading, directing, writing, and accomplishing this undertaking with gentle humility, abundant patience, and skillful determination.

Steve Williams for coming up with a book title that says it all.

Becky Williams, your behind the scenes editing is appreciated. Your suggestions to delete, add, re-think and re-work helped to add value to the book.

Kerry Hamilton, you generously donated and dedicated your time proofreading, correcting, and offering insightful suggestions. This has been an act of service and friendship that we are extremely grateful for. Your life lesson, Once an English teacher, always an English teacher, is true.

Bill Webb, my brother, for digging into the family archives as well as his own memory to add forgotten details to our family history.

Bud and Kim Moore, you and your friends from Phoenix, Arizona, graciously tackled the task of translating Holt Orphanage adoption papers and legal documents from their original Korean, Chinese, and Japanese formats. Thank you for providing this wonderful, informative gift.

Barry Benteman, thank you for investing your photographic talents. Your artistic touch has added another pleasing layer for the reader’s enjoyment to this adventure.

Doyle Williams, you were my pastor in my teenage years and a co-pastor now. Thank you for investing your life in me over those rowdy games of tennis and those ice-cold root beers. You believed in me at an impressionable time in my life.

To our Veterans: Thank You! From my childhood and adult experiences, I have developed a deep sense of gratitude for the soldiers who served during the Korean Conflict, where more than 50,000 Americans lost their lives. Because of the men and women who have faithfully served and fought for our country since its beginning, I have had the privilege to live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. I will go to my grave indebted to each of them, grateful for their service.

Thank you to Kerry Oberbrunner, Author Academy Elite and Igniting Souls for the help and support from A-Z. Your commitment to help authors succeed is stellar!

Introduction

Judy and I privately eloped six days before our wedding date missing the opportunity to see many of her family members. While making travel plans to North Carolina, Judy suggested we drive through southeast Kansas to visit her two grandmother’s and other relatives. Intensely studying the map route through southeast Kansas and Oklahoma to North Carolina, I noticed we would be within eight miles of Weleetka, Oklahoma, my first home in America.

Excited and filled with joy that my new bride would see the house I had lived in, I began describing, in great detail, my vivid and colorful memories of that beautiful home. I fondly remembered running from one enormous room to another, leaping up onto the couch, bouncing off the cushions, and propelling myself like Superman through the air. I would continuously and swiftly race from one room to another, in my magnificently delightful home. It truly had been a mansion fit for a king. Judy thought it was a great idea and shared my enthusiasm to be visiting the first place that I had lived with my adoptive family.

A few days later, we arrived in Weleetka, Oklahoma. We drove to the corner address where I thought my charming former home was located. I was puzzled by the lot and house we found and parked in front of. Before us was a small, rather dull, far from stunning and exquisite, 900 square foot house with a single-car garage. I noticed the shocked and questioning look on Judy’s face, not sure whether her mouth was opened in awe or to speak; I quickly blurted out, We must be at the wrong address! We got back into the car and drove around looking for