James D. Cobb Jr.

James D. Cobb, Jr., went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 24, 2012 at the age of 82. He was born September 25, 1929 in Pampa, Texas, to J. D. Cobb and Dorothy A. Robison Cobb. He lived in Pampa, then in Halfway, Texas, and later moved to Plainview, Texas, where he graduated from Plainview High School in 1947. James then attended Texas Tech University, receiving a BS degree in Geology in 1951. James married Joan Cervenka on August 25, 1951 at Arnett Benson Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas.

While attending Tech, he was a member of the ROTC program and then entered the U. S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant on December 2, 1951 at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. He began his pilot training at Craig and then was sent to Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma where he completed his pilot training and received his wings on February 2, 1953. He was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. He flew KC-97 refueling tankers that fueled fighter planes in the air through a long boom at the back of the plane. He served several tours of duty in Morocco, North Africa, Tule, Newfoundland, and West Palm Beach, Florida. He was released from the Air Force on February 1, 1956. He served as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve until April 29, 1966.

James and Joan moved to Midland, Texas, in 1956 where James worked for Sinclair Oil Company. He later worked for Arco Oil Company, Monsanto Oil Company where he was District Manager, and then for a short time for BHP Petroleum. He belonged to the West Texas Geological Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists. James was on the Board for the Energy Library and served as president of the Arco Credit Union (now My Community Credit Union). He retired in June of 1986 and continued to work as an independent geologist for a while.

James was a Deacon at Bellview Baptist Church in Midland and served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher for a number of years, as well as working on many committees and projects for the church. He was greatly loved by the members where he attended for 56 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert Lee Cobb; and a sister, Peggy Johnston. James and Joan have three daughters – Janet Sue Cobb of Cedar Creek, Texas; Sherri Jo Cobb of Midland, Texas; and Brenda Kay James and husband, Gary of Katy, Texas. They have three grandchildren – Brandon R. James and wife, Sarah of Detroit, Michigan; Phillip M. James of Dallas, Texas; and Christy M. James of Houston, Texas.

Memorials may be made to the Benevolence Fund at Bellview Baptist Church, 1710 North Big Spring Street, Midland, TX 79701 or to a charity of your choice.

Family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. A funeral service is planned for Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 10:00a.m. at Bellview Baptist Church of Midland. Interment will follow at Rowena Protestant Cemetery in Rowena, Texas at 4:00p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home of Midland. Condolences may be offered at: www.ellisfunerals.com.