Dear Yvonne, dear Claudia, dear Jimmy,
After our return from vacation I have received your sad e-mail.
We deeply regret to hear about the death of your beloved husband and father and are sending you our sincere sympathies and condolences. We hope that the pain you are feeling will gradually decrease.
A big hug
kindest regards
Yours,
Ursula and family
Switzerland
PS In memory of Jim I will put some flowers on Omama’s grave
Suzanne and I want to send our most sincere condolences to Yvonne and the Cobb family. Jim was one of the finest men it has ever been our pleasure to know.
We were all neighbors on Duck Key for many years and it was an honor to call Jim and Yvonne Cobb our friends.
As you know Jim was an avid golfer and it was my pleasure to have played many rounds of golf with him and to enjoy his company and remembrances over many lunches of Soup and Salad. I'd like to share a favorite anecdote:
We were getting ready to tee off at our local golf course in Key Colony Beach. Most of the golfers knew Jim and he had many friends to say hello to each day. One day a fellow golfer came up to him and said, "G'Morning, Admiral, I was thinking about you last night. I was watching 'Battle of Midway' on TV and I wondered if you were watching it. Did you see it?" Jim thought for a moment, shook his head, and with a big smile, replied proudly, " No,....but I was there!"
His sense of humor, his smile, and his genuine respect for everyone he came in contact with is something we will always remember. He was truly a great American and we were honored to spend time with him.
Jane and I want to express our sympathy and prayers for you and the whole Cobb family. We're out of the country right now and Kevin just told us tearfully of your Dad's passing. I spoke with Chuck and know how upset he is in the loss of his Grandfather.
Your Dad was a one-of-a-kind; the stalwart of the family, a wonderful and principled man, and a much respected Naval officer.
He will be sorely missed. The world is a little emptier and less friendly with his loss.
We hope to be back to see you at your Dad's services on 26 September.
Love,
Carson and Jane (Morris)
Thank you for allowing us to pay our last respect to a warrior and a good friend.
Thanks for developing a website that’s a great tribute to your Dad.
Carson
GOD BLESS YOUR FATHER
Your father was my hero. I’ve met and known many good men... your dad was the best of them all.... they don’t make men like our dads anymore. God bless you and your family...... I loved your dad’s stories.... Plus, he helped me understand the need for man's love for sailing and the respect for the ocean.
I really admired your dad. I’ll never forget his stories. Especially the one about him working in that kitchen (in Colorado) and putting the black pepper in the mashed potatoes, LOL! And the story about the day the Japs attacked (Pearl Harbor). I was near the Pentagon when it was hit by the plane (911). I was out in the river that day...I saw the smoke. I thought of your dad a lot those days...
…… He sure did have a wonderful life. Wow, 97! I knew he would live a long life.... the way he jogged... and kept a clean healthy living style. I’ll never forget the trip to the Bahamas. I still don’t know how he got us there -- using only a compass. Incredible man...
David B MacClary Jr.
You know that I have always had the utmost love, respect and admiration for Pop ….. I know that in many ways his spirit will live on through many people.
When someone who is as kindhearted, gentle and as giving as Pop is comes into your life, it is a given that even after the physical presence is gone, the spiritual presence will live on for many lifetimes to come.
Kev
(Kevin Morris)
Claudia, I am sorry for your loss. I was so fond of your father when I was a young person and I was glad to have had the opportunity to see him again as an adult. And, he was the same as I remembered, very kind, thoughtful and understanding. He helped my family when we were very young and he did so with such kindness. I enjoyed reading about his distinguished career and will view the other sites soon.
Please extend my sympathies to your Mother.
Maria Cobb Ridge
Thank you so much for this wonderful video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D9ezv4oLQs
which I watched over and over again. It was as if Admiral was right here with his wonderful smile and all his energy.
We will cherish this living remembrance of him forever and thank you deeply for arranging it and for sharing it with us.
Here is a list of our family members and the other caregivers who cared for Admiral at one time or another:
Genet Bersoma
Solomon Gebreab
Negede Solomon
Mahdere Solomon
Dr. Missale Solomon
Dr. Samson Gurmu
Dr. Andrew
Aster Bersoma
Azeb Bekure
Almaz Senbeto
I was also very happy with the arrangements. It was so dignified and organized and it all went well.
…. I hope that I will someday see some material or even a book about him.
I will check on Yvonne from time to time and will get in touch now and then.
Thanks and best regards to your wonderful family.
Thank you again for your noble efforts.
Solomon
I wasn't aware that Jim had died until I called Yvonne to get her address and send them a copy of my book, Just a Sailor. I worked for Jim when I was stationed in the Navy in Norfolk as a Photographer's Mate 1st Class and Navy Diver, 1st Class. He was one of the best people I have ever known.
Steve Waterman Sept 3, 2010
