Lawrence Alexander Cobb, Jr., 75, of Greenville passed away November 5, 2013 at Hunt Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday at Wesley United Methodist Church under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Gene Wisdom will officiate. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM until service time at the church.
Born November 8, 1937 in Greenville, North Carolina, Lawrence was the son of Lawrence Alexander and Mary Lillian (Parkerson) Cobb. On September 3, 1961 in Greenville, North Carolina, he married Arlene Harrington. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and was a retired Chief Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force.
Chief MSgt Lawrence A. Cobb USAF Retired began his relationship with the 55th in 1962 at Forbes AB, KS, assigned to the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Sqd. In August 1966. Chief Cobb as part of the advance team that established a presence at Offutt AFB, NE preparing for the wings move from Forbes AFB. He later transferred to Inflight Maintenance Technician shop and began a flying career in the RC-135C aircraft. From 1967 to 1971 he flew numerous operational missions, and his airmanship and dedication were rewarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals. Assigned to the depot at Greenville, TX, Chief Cobb organized the team to equip, modernize, and standardize the RC-135 aircraft to the new Rivet Joint configuration. Upon his retirement from active service in 1983, Chief Cobb became a Project Engineer for the RC-135 depot maintenance and flight test unit at Greenville. He was responsible for delivering a ready weapon system, improving that system, and maintaining its war fighting capability. For over 40 years his management and support has had and continues to have a major impact in developing and maintaining the Wing’s combat missions capabilities.
Outside his military responsibilities, Chief Cobb supported the Boy Scouts of America in many capacities to include Cub Master, Scout Master, Committee Chairman, Advancement Chairman and Eagle Board Review Chairman.
His survivors include his spouse Arlene of Greenville, Texas; son Stephen Cobb and wife, Melanie of Rockwall and Michael Cobb of Greenville; sisters Irene Horz of Pasadena, Maryland and Janet Wingate of Winterville, North Carolina; and grandchildren Taylor, Garrett, Devan and Michael, Jr.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother John Walter Cobb; and sister Margaret Harrell.
The family requests memorials be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 5602 Hwy 69S,
Greenville, TX 75402