Reginald Cobb

Reginald Cobb, Age 79 of Tampa, passed quietly and peacefully on August 19th, 2020, holding the hands of his loved ones. Reggie was born in Glennville, Georgia to Toy Cobb and Suenell Rushing Cobb. He was the second youngest of seven children. In 1947, tragedy struck his family when his father, eldest brother, and uncle were killed in a fatal automotive accident. Not surprisingly, Reggie and his remaining siblings were a close-knit group, working hard from young ages to keep their family afloat through their time of loss and financial struggle. Reggie’s loyalty to his family, paired with his responsibilities as a provider, caused him to quit school after completing ninth grade. In 1960, he met and married the love of his life, Gloria Patricia Rowland. His journey eventually brought him to Tampa to begin a career in the Auto Glass industry, where his creative mechanical skills and charisma singled him out as a pioneer in the field. After successfully expanding the business of his employer, he decided to open his own business in 1970, called “Cobb Brothers Auto Glass.” His passion for his customers, combined with his personalized services, quickly highlighted his business as a Tampa staple, a place where people knew they would be welcomed and cared for. He successfully operated the business for forty years before he retired in 2010. Presently, Cobb Brothers remains a thriving family business, operated by his son and grandson – his legacy, his life’s work, lives on.

Throughout his life, Reggie enjoyed hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. He also loved league nights at the local bowling alley. His greatest love, however, was spending time with family and friends cooking out, listening to live music, dancing, throwing horseshoes, playing cards, reminiscing by the fire, and eating great food like Raw Oysters and Blue Crabs. He was undoubtedly the life of the party and had no trouble bringing a laugh or smile to others with his countless jokes and stories. Reggie was caring and giving, he helped so many with whatever they needed and never boasted about it. Many times, he took care of others before and above his own needs. That is simply who he was. Everyone loved him and no one was a stranger.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Toy and Suenell; his brothers, Billy and Gene; his sister, Mary Nell; and his beloved wife of 42 years, Pat. Reggie is survived by his sisters, Myrtle and Lynette; his brother, Rommie; his daughter, Denise and her husband Doug; his older son, Ricky and his wife Wendie; his younger son, Randy; his grandchildren, Michelle and her husband Chandler, Andy and his wife Beth, Kelly and her husband Matt, Shevin and his wife Stephanie, Britney and her husband Keith, and youngest granddaughter, Marissa; his great-grandchildren, Gianna, Madison, Ali, Avery, Brayden, Greyson, Anna Claire, Brody, Caroline, and William, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

His family and friends will forever miss “Big Papa” and the “larger-than-life” presence he brought to any occasion. While it is never easy to lose an integral part of one’s life, it is comforting and reassuring to know that he is in a better place, resting in the green pastures and still waters that God had reserved for him.

The family will receive friends from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, August 30th, 2020 at Blount and Curry Carrollwood Chapel, located at 3207 W. Bearss Ave. Tampa, Fl 33618. A private family funeral will follow on Monday, August 31st with a processional to Sunset Memory Gardens, where his body will be laid to rest.