Thomas Cobb

1947 - 2025

Thomas Lee Cobb, born July 9, 1947, to George and Lorene Cobb in Chicago, IL, died November 6, 2025 in Tucson, AZ. He is survived by his partner Carol Schaedler and many friends in Tucson and across the country. Tom graduated from Amphitheater High School, received his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Arizona, and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Houston. While in Tucson, he also co-owned Sixth Street Books with Lynn Shisler. Tom taught at the University of Arizona, at Eastern Arizona College, and in the Arizona State Prison program. The bulk of his teaching career, however, was spent at Rhode Island College, where as Professor of English he developed the Creative Writing program.

Tom was the author of many books, including Crazy Heart, which was made into an award-winning film. Two of his books won Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America: Shavetail in 2009 and With Blood in Their Eyes in 2013. His book of short stories, Acts of Contrition, won the Texas Review's 2002 George Garrett Fiction Prize.

An avid supporter of the Arizona Wildcats, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago White Sox, Tom never wavered in his loyalty, regardless of his team's performance. He enjoyed music tremendously, for some years writing a music review column for Tucson's Newsreal magazine and, in Houston, founding the band "Moist and the Towelettes," once appraised by Texas Monthly as "the worst band in Houston if not the universe." Tom's gentler side showed in his love of the African daisies he cultivated and whose blooming he eagerly anticipated each year. He loved the dogs in his life, especially Maggie and Peaches.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, December 7, 2025 from to 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at his home. Email tcdirections@gmail.com for more information.