Harold Clinton Cobb, Jr.

Harold Clinton Cobb, Jr., 83, of Waco passed away peacefully on February 6, 2017, at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Hospital. His service will be 10.30 a.m., Friday, February 10, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas. John Wood will be officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco. Mr.Cobb was born August 17, 1933, in Waco, Texas, to Estell Thompson Cobb and Harold Cobb. Harold was an extremely gifted businessman and entrepreneur, athlete and rancher. Harold grew up in Waco, an outstanding running back at Waco High, graduating in 1952. Harold was dubbed “Hot-foot Harold” for burning up the field in the tailback position for the Tigers. He went to TCU on a football scholarship, and later completed his business degree at Baylor Univercity, graduating in 1956. Upon graduating, Harold joined the Air Force and served 3 years as first lieutenant and a flight instructor at John Connally Air Force Base in Waco. He received his commission from honored guest, President Dwight Eisenhower. The native Texan took his discharge and became a career agent in May, 1960. The Great Southern Life Insurance office was next door to his mother’s office in Waco. He excelled in the life insurance business and was honored many times during his career as Great Southern Life Insurance representative. Mr.Cobb was a company leader in the longest continuous run for any general agent in Great Southern history. Countless meetings and conferences allowed him to travel around the world and visit many countries. His success in the insurance business provided the opportunity for a new business venture. Harold developed, owned and operated the Snapee convenience stores throughout Waco. Due to Harold's passion to business, he decided to keep one Chevron Snapee convenience store on China Spring Road. For 30 years Mr. Cobb ran his Snapee together with his son, Robert, until it was sold in 2015. In 1980s, he purchased the Thirteen Oaks Ranch in Valley Mills, Texas, where he raised Santa Gertrudis cattle. He loved his Santa Gertrudis herd and took very good care of them and his land, baling hay, spraying weeds and tending the herd. He knew the names of all the grasses and recognized their seeds. Harold was an avid outdoorsman who especially loved quail hunting and bass fishing. His favorite places were Lake Falcon, Lake Waco, Lake Belton, Lake Sam Rayburn, and Lake Amistad. A huge Baylor football fan, Harold attended the first and last game at Floyd Casey Stadium, as well as many games in between. He also loved golf and was the handicap champion of the Waco High Golf Club. His love of the game continued, and years later his playing partners witnessed something he was very proud of, a Double Eagle on #9 at Ridgewood Country Club. Mr.Cobb was generous and had a heart of gold. Since 2004 he was a member of the international program, “Medical Exchange.” It was a program between the United States and the Ukraine. As an International Director of Ukranian Medical Charity Fund, he provided financial support for the renovation of the children’s hospital in Kiev, Ukraine. During his visit to the Ukraine in 2009, Harold met and married his wife, Alena. Harold and Alena enjoyed being fans of Baylor football and Lady Bears basketball. Harold was a holder of season tickets for many years. The head coach of the Lady Bears, Kim Mulkey, had a special place in his heart. Harold and Alena traveled a lot with Lady Bears to New York, Kentucky, South Bend. They also visited the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Las Vegas and Alena's motherland, Ukraine. Harold was a long time member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. Harold’s first marriage to Marilyn Smith ended in divorce. They had three children. Harold was a good father to his children and loved them deeply. In addition to his present wife, Alena, and her son, Albert Komlyk, Harold leaves his daughter, Rebecca Harrell; and his son, Robert Cobb. Harold was preceded in death by his parents; Estelle and Harold Cobb; and his older daughter, Linda Uhr. Pallbearers will be Bubba Smith, Charles Simmons, Cline Strickland, David Holichek, Eddie Dark, Erik Williams, Paul McClinton, and Dr. Charles Shoultz. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, his fishing friends and colleagues. The family wishes to thank the staffs of ICU and hospice of Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Hospital, as well as the Visiting Angels agency and all of the family and friends who have prayed for and supported Mr. and Mrs. Cobb through his Parkinson disease and the difficult time in the hospital. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the John Wood Ministry, 3300 North Ridge Dr., Waco TX 76710. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.