John T. Cobb

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — John Thornton Cobb, 93, of Virginia Beach, died Sunday, April 4, 2010, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.

John was born Feb. 1, 1917, in Big Rapids, the son of Earl Cobb and Harriett Thornton. On May 29, 1942, he married his loving wife of 59 years, Ruthmary Mahaney, who preceded him death on May 11, 2002.

As a young man John served his country during World War II; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. John later earned a commission and became a Naval Officer. He served as Navy Frogman; the predecessor to the modern day SEALS. John was stationed in the Pacific theater of operations, seeing combat at Guadalcanal among other battle locations.

Ruthmary and John traveled the world extensively. Most importantly, John was a loving husband, father, grandfather whose love for his family knew no bounds.

John is survived by his five children, Jennifer (Tom) Chassee, John T. Cobb III, Susan (Tom) Dowler, Rebecca (Dennis) McDade and Michael Cobb; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mass will be celebrated today, April 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church of Lake Leelanau. Burial will follow in Beechwood Cemetery, Leland. The Rev. Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Church, P.O. Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI, 49653.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.