Thurman Cobbs
With a smile, a little wave, with a nod and a twinkle in his eye or a big bear hug, Thurman Harvey Cobbs, Jr brought joy to everyone he met. Thurman, who was also called TH and lovingly known as Paw Paw, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025. He was born November 28, 1938 and grew up in South Charleston, WV where he attended South Charleston High School. Despite being a graduate of the 1956 class, Thurman’s most cherished, life- long friends were from the class of 1955. They would regularly go on cruises together, go out to enjoy Mexican food, meet up for coffee and they always enjoyed reuniting at the annual South Charleston Summer Fest.
After high school, Thurman joined the Army National Guard where he served for 4 years. He then joined the South Charleston Fire Department, retiring after 30 years of service. However, you can’t keep a good man down, so he continued working for the city of South Charleston until just weeks before his death. He had various roles and positions there, but he ended his working career as the City Facilities Manager.
Thurman loved to spend his free time in his garage, chewing on a cigar and tinkering on cars. The thing he loved and talked about the most, however, was spending time and going out to eat with his son and grandsons.
Thurman was preceded in death by his parents Thurman Cobbs and Georgia (Babcock) Cobbs Hines and his wife Virginia. He leaves behind his son Randy Cobbs and three grandsons, Ian, Owen and Evan Cobbs to carry on that contagious smile and righteous dude vibe that he had every day of his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you call up a friend and spend some time talking with them and take them out to dinner. Make someone else feel as loved as Thurman made you feel.
A celebration of life service is being planned for a date in the summer when we can all enjoy getting together in the sunshine, because light is what Thurman took with him wherever he went.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston.
Thurman, we had some good times over the last 40+ years on Ohio Street! Good neighbors are hard to find nowadays. I know you will have a lot of great food up there!!
Uncle Thurman will definitely be missed. I’m so glad I got the chance to see and reconnect with Uncle Thurman and Aunt Virginia a few years back. Wishing everyone who knew him the best memories of his smile and laughter.
Thurman was a terrific guy. Many good memories when we were band parents
Great Guy! I would have given good money for Thurman’s personality when he would amble by after work at city hall to chat. My Best to the Family. Richie Robb
So sorry to read about your Dad’s passing. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
I’ll miss you, Thurmie. You and Virginia. Aunt Georgia and Uncle TH added so much joy to my childhood. Give my Mom, Uncle Bob, Aunt Bettie.Uncke Steve and Charlie Tee my love. Let Virginia know I’m still following her path
Randy. You and the boys made their lives complete.
Thurman was my best friend in high school, best man at my wedding, and he was best man at mine. He will always be part of my cherished memories, even the ones only he and I could talk about. I will miss him greatly.
Uncle Thurman, I was really looking forward to seeing you in August but I’ll miss you. You were the best uncle. Ginny, you and I did so much together as I was growing up. I remember the concert you took me too, I remember the holiday dinners and you and dad giving mom, Ginny And wawa the blues about how much they ate. I wanted Adam to know the things so I made you and Aunt Ginny his God parents. Every girl deserves a uncle like you and I’m glad you were mine. I love you.
My memories of Thurmie go way back. He has always been an upbeat guy and fun to be with. We are distantly related through our grandparents. My sincere condolences to Randy and his family.
First, my sincere condolences to Randy and his family for the loss of his father Thurman. He was a fine man, father and friend.
I’m coming to this late, for which I apologize. My habit of avoiding obituaries does, at times, come to haunt me and this is, most certainly, one I regret.
Thurman and I met when I came to work for the South Charleston Area Development Corporation. We worked together for almost ten years as colleagues and friends. He brought competence, common sense, wisdom, patience and humor to the work; what more could you ask for?
I came to believe finding Thurman wasn’t simply luck, but a design of the sort that leaves you wondering why more isn’t possible in our everyday lives. But, you realize you can’t really question when a Thurman Cobbs comes your way; you just accept it with as much appreciation as you can muster.
Thurman makes you yearn for the knowing of what lies ahead. Believing that your paths may cross again someday, believing that’s possible, makes what is to come for all of us worth looking forward to.
Great guy! Always enjoyed talking to him and listening to his stories. Great memories! RIP Mr. Cobb.