SALINA – At his core, Joseph D. “Joe” Cobb, 83, was a family man, music man, and man of God. In his elder years, Joe also became what many described as a “Superman.”
Born in Salina, Kansas, in 1938, Joe was the youngest of four siblings and a typical little boy who liked to get into mischief and play outside with his friends. His parents had a garden in their backyard, and one of his fondest memories was loading up a red wagon with strawberries and pulling it down the alley a few blocks where he sold them to the former Ashton’s Grocery Store.
Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Joe spent most of his time in athletics; and he was good too. At Salina Central High School, Joe was a standout in football, basketball, and golf; but baseball was Joe’s favorite and best sport. What started off as “sock ball” with his buddies, Joe took his talent in baseball all the way to the professional level, being recruited to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team.
Joe completed three years of college between time at the University of Minnesota, Kansas State University, and Kansas Wesleyan University, majoring in chemistry. He had a knack for numbers and a curiosity for science, but in the end, his creative genius won out. Starting in his 20’s, Joe played bass and rhythm guitar in a variety of bands, including The Birdmen, The Impacts, BJ4, The Big Beats, and Wheatland ‘Lectric Band. He also enjoyed discovering new talent, managing bands, and writing music. Joe was even able to record one of his songs, called “How Long Can A Good Thing Last.”
As many musicians do, Joe worked “day jobs” to support himself and later his family. He was a truck hostler for Gooch’s Feed Mill in Salina and the co-owner of Accounts Receivable Services, or ARS, where he helped relieve the burden of mass medical bills, collaborating with clients to create payment plans. He also worked in construction, but mostly for himself, building two family homes near Tescott and in Bennington, Kansas.
Joe has three daughters: Tiffanni, from his first marriage; and Jodi and Julee, from his second marriage. Joe’s children were the light and love of his life. When Tiffanni was younger, he couldn’t wait to visit her in Alabama and take her on special outings so they could build a bond even though they lived apart. Joe was a hands-on Dad with Jodi and Julee, chaperoning them at concerts, videotaping every high school accomplishment, visiting them in college, and moving them across the country a few different times. He supported their every aspiring dream, but was happy to welcome Julee back home when she moved in to be his caregiver.
After a fall down his basement stairs in 2013, Joe went to the hospital for what he believed was a concussion. After a few scans and tests, he was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma with brain mets. His oncologist estimated he had four to six months to live, and that prognosis lit a fire inside Joe to fight the expected outcome. He endured radiation to his brain as well as chemotherapy and immunotherapy for many years. With each six-month check-up, his doctors continued to be amazed at his miraculous condition. Joe went on to suffer two heart attacks, a traumatic brain injury, several infections, and dementia. With each ailment and hospital stay, Joe fought to beat the odds. He credits God’s healing hand and the thousands of prayers said for him over the years as his strength to keep going. In the early morning hours of Feb. 24, God told Joe he didn’t have to fight anymore and He called him home to rest.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ellen (Trapp) Cobb; sisters, Betty Moravec and Bonnie Olson; niece, Roxanne Moravec Haggard; nephew, Christopher Moravec; and Baby Girl Cobb. Joe is survived by half-brother, Jim Cobb (Jeanette) of Corona, CA; daughters, Tiffanni Koone of Maylene, AL; Jodi Suglio (Anthony) of Hendersonville, TN; and Julee Cobb, of the home; and grandson, Hayden Koone of Asheville, NC. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Joe was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene, 1425 S. Ohio Street, Salina, where he played in the worship band and wrote special music. A Celebration of Life honoring Joe will be held at the church at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 4 with a lunch following for family and close friends. A visitation will be held prior on Thursday, March 3 between 4 and 8 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. 8th Street in Salina. Burial will be private. For those unable to attend, the Celebration of Life will be live-streamed at live.sfnaz.com. Memorials can be made to the family in care of Ryan Mortuary.