Theodore S. COBERLY

1921 - 2011

COBERLY

Brigadier General Theodore S., USAF (Ret.), 90, passed away on Saturday, March 26th. He was born at Morgantown, WV, February 18, 1921 and was the son of James G. B. Coberly and Edith Simpson Coberly. He is survived by his wife of 70 years Margaret K. (Koon) Coberly of Monroe, OH; two sons, Lt. Col. Camden A. (Judy) Coberly II of Ft. Worth, TX; COL Theodore R. (Jan) Coberly of Spotsylvania, VA and a daughter Kathleen C. (Scott) Stewart of Batavia, OH; five grandchildren; Colter B. (Deanna) Coberly of Providence Village, TX, Carolyn H. Coberly, of Kabul, Afghanistan, Theodore H. (Beth) Coberly of Zebulon, NC, Kathleen S. (Kevin) McPeek of Milford, OH and Margaret Len (Jim) Martin of West Chester, OH and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter Margaret Anne Coberly. He attended Alderson-Broaddus College at Philippi, WV, and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1959. He entered military service as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps in August 1942 and received his pilot wings and commission as second lieutenant in June 1943. During World War II, he served primarily as an instructor at the Advanced Instructors School at Foster Field, Texas, and director, gunnery training at Matagorda Island, Texas. During the Korean War, General Coberly served with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron where he was credited with shooting down two MIGs and became the 334th's squadron commander. Later, Gen. Coberly served as a test pilot, commanded the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Alconbury, England and served with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as deputy director for operations, National Military Command Center. In his final assignment Gen. Coberly was named director of reconnaissance and electronic warfare, in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development. He was a graduate of the Air War College. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Upon his retirement in July 1972, Gen. Coberly assumed executive positions in the defense industry. At the age of 59 he entered law school where he was elected to the Law Review and received his J.D. from Western State University College of Law in May, 1982. He was admitted to the California Bar. A memorial service is scheduled on Friday, April 1st, at 3:00 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village Chapel, 225 Britton Lane, Monroe, OH. Gen. Coberly will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements in care of TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME -- FAR HILLS CHAPEL. Condolences may be made to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.