James W. Cobb
James W. Cobb, 86, of Syracuse, died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at Goshen Hospital.
He was born Aug. 1, 1932, in Goshen to Charles and Pearl (Vandermaas) Cobb.
On July 7, 1963, he married Marilyn Matthews in New Paris. She died July 21, 2017.
Surviving is a sister: Carolyn L. (Richard) Cripe of Syracuse; sister-in-law: Pat Cobb of Wakarusa; brother-in-law: Dean Morehouse of New Paris; nephews: Charles (Marilyn) Cobb III, Dennis Cobb, Gregory Cobb, Michael (Regina) Morehouse, Matthew (Soni) Morehouse and Douglas (Staci) Cripe; and nieces: Debbie (Ted) Webster, Lynda (Lupe) Reyes, Michelle Schmidt, Melanie (Ted) Mason and Jeannine (Phillip) Tom.
Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers: Charles and Eugene Cobb; and a sister: Eleanor Morehouse.
James was a 1951 graduate of New Paris High School and a four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served on the USS Cacapon in Japan and the USS Sperry in Alaska. He reunited with his Navy buddies many times over the years.
After discharge, he became a licensed pilot at Goshen Airport with instructor Russ Miller. There, he met his future wife, Marilyn, who was also taking flying lessons.
James flew for Kropf Manufacturing and other companies before flying with North Central Airlines and moving to Hawaii, where he flew for Hawaiian Airlines. Later, he joined Eastern Airlines for 30 years. He also flew cargo and medical flights.
He enjoyed being with the Quiet Birdsmen and attending Eastern reunions. He then formed Concord World Travel in Elkhart, Nappanee and Kendallville and the WLRX radio station in Nappanee. Along with his wife, he then retired to the 100-year-old family farm.
Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 7 p.m. and Tues., Oct. 30, from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service, all at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. Rev. Dr. Douglas Cripe, nephew of the deceased, Central Christian Church, Elkhart, will officiate.
Burial will follow at New Paris Cemetery, New Paris.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Central Christian Church, 418 W. Franklin St., Elkhart.