James Gregory Cobb, Sr.

James Gregory Cobb, Sr., 93, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017. He was born on August 1, 1924, in Birmingham, Alabama. At age eleven, his parents, Ralph Waldo and Ruby Greene Cobb, moved their family to Beaumont. Gregory attended Rosedale Elementary, Roy Guess Junior High and Beaumont High.

Gregory met the love of his life, Aleene Bernice Evans Cobb in the sixth grade in 1940.They were married on October 4, 1944 in Santa Barbara, California while he was serving as a member of the United States Marine Corps. During his boot camp training at Camp Pendleton, he set the record for the fastest time on the obstacle course. This record was just recently broken. Gregory participated in the Battle of Peleliu, which

was a joint effort of the United States military to capture an airstrip on the tiny island during World War II.

After the war, Gregory returned to Beaumont and established Cobb Air Conditioning in 1947. Gregory and Aleene owned and operated the company for over forty years. Always searching for his next opportunity, Gregory started Cobb Construction in 1972, building homes in Beaumont and later building at Crystal Beach. His passion and love of the beach led him to develop nine subdivisions, building over 300 homes. Gregory was actively involved in Cobb Construction until his death.

Papa Cobb, as he was known to his family, loved a good party, especially his birthday parties and family holiday gatherings. Gregory and Aleene loved entertaining their family and friends for many years. Papa loved watching This Old House, Motor Week and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved sitting in the sun on the porch; however, his favorite past time was playing a competitive game of Skip Bo. Papa took great delight in beating everyone even as his eyesight was failing.

He is survived by his daughters, Dianne Cobb Walker and her husband, Haywood; and Patty Cobb Maida and her husband, Pete, all of Beaumont; his son, Greg Cobb, Jr. and his wife, Paulette, of Crystal Beach; seven grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving Gregory are his brother, Howard Cobb, of Beaumont and sister, Joy Busbee and her husband, Guinn, of Vidor.

Gregory was predeceased by his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Aleene B. Cobb; his parents, Ralph and Ruby Cobb; his siblings, Ralph, Arleene, Jan, and Bill Cobb; and his granddaughter, Lauren Coco.

Papa was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His work ethics, enthusiasm for life and the love of his family was admired by all. He will be missed. Papa was surrounded by his beloved family acknowledging each member at the time of his death.

A gathering of Mr. Cobb’s family and friends will be 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2017, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 18, 2017, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow with full military honors at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, where his final resting place will be next to his wife.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Massachusetts 01061.