James W. Cobb

James W. Cobb, 86, of Syracuse died Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Goshen Hospital.

He was born August 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 met with his Navy reunion buddies for years.

After discharge, he became a licensed pilot at Goshen Airport with instructor, Russ Miller.  There he met his future wife, Marilyn who was taking flying lessons also.

James flew for Kropf Manufacturing and other companies before flying with North Central Airlines and moving to Hawaii and flying with 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.  James and Marilyn then retired to the 100-year-old family farm.

Visitation will be Monday, October 29, 2018 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service, all at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen.  James’ nephew, Rev. Dr. Douglas Cripe, Central Christian Church, Elkhart, will officiate.

Burial will follow at New Paris Cemetery, New Paris.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Central Christian Church, Elkhart, First Christian Church, Mishawaka, or Fairfield High School F.F.A.