Donald Joe Cobb

COBB, Donald J., 83, passed away May 22, 2017, in Richmond, Va. Don was born in Blytheville, Ark., to parents, Charles Ellett and Stella Morgan Cobb who, along with his wife of 53 years, Nancy Swane Cobb, predeceased him. He is survived by two sons, Freddy (Amy) Cobb and Kevin (Kem) Cobb; grandchildren, Jordan (Luis) Mendez, Andrew Cobb, Grayson Cobb, Tyler (Kaylah) Cobb, Lindsey (Alan) Witt, Casey Cobb; and one great-grandson, Kearny Cobb. He is also survived by a sister, Doris Grimes of Fort Wayne, Ind. and a brother, Philip Cobb of Oklahoma City, Okla. Law enforcement was a big part of his life and he took great pride in the Henrico Police Department where he worked from 1958-1988 and from which he retired as Captain. Don was the Director of Central Virginia Training Academy in Richmond. He was a big believer in education and, while working at HPD, attended night school to receive his Associate’s degree from VCU. Don met the love of his life, Nancy (who was working for the FBI) while serving with the U.S. Navy at Quantico, Va. and at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was also a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He and “Red” enjoyed many great times together. Later mom and dad enjoyed RVing in their Bluebird motorhomes. They traveled the country and enjoyed wonderful sights and rallies with many friends. They were always accompanied by their furry friends as well. Don enjoyed sports, having played at Hayti High school and was an avid follower of VT football and spent many weekends with his family at VT home games. He loved to frame newspaper articles about people he knew and he took great pleasure in honoring his friends and associates with these presentations. In his younger years, his hobby was collecting and restoring vintage cars and motorcycles. His motorcycles included many Harleys and Indians. Cars included MG-TD and TF, Triumph TR3’s, 1937 Pontiac, Packards, Model A’s, Corvairs, Mercedes convertibles, a Mercedes limousine, and many, many others. In 1990, Don and his sons formed Cobb Technologies in Lynchburg Va. Don commuted from Richmond to Lynchburg in the early days helping get the company off the ground. There was a requirement by Mita, Cobb’s copier supplier, that Cobb have two service technicians. Since Cobb had no customers and no money it was determined that Don would be one of the technicians. So off to school he went. Another of Don’s duties was the collection of accounts receivable and his police background served him well in this capacity. Now Cobb has six locations throughout Virginia, with 115 fantastic employees including over 40 technicians and all due in large part to Don’s commitment to his sons and Cobb co-workers. Don especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their special school and sporting events. He was very proud of each and every one of them. Don reunited with a former coworker from HPD, Jackie Browning, and they became great companions for his last few years. All are invited to a celebration of Don’s life at Cobb Technologies, 1000 Technology Park Drive, Glen Allen, Va. 23059, on Tuesday, May 30, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Those wishing to attend his 10:00 a.m. graveside service at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, 12609 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23238 conducted by HPD honor guard, are asked to gather at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Va. 23229, where HPD will then escort Don to his final resting place. An 11:00 a.m. memorial service will follow at Westminster Canterbury “Commons”, 1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23227.