Found peace on January 27, 2021 at the age of 86 years. Beloved husband of the late Kathleen. Father of Mike Cobb and Tim (Cindy) Cobb. Dear brother of Marion “Mic” (Josephine) Cobb and the late James (Marsha) Cobb. Further survived by other relatives and many friends.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the Funeral Home from 1 PM until the time of Funeral Service at 3 PM. Burial will take place on Monday, February 15, 2021 at 10 AM at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Fisher House.
MSgt Cobb (ret.) was extremely proud of his service in US Air Force. His military career spanned over 35 years, during which time he served all over the world. Tom was also an active Mason and Shriner. He was initiated into the Masonic Order in 1990 and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1991 at Lake Lodge #189 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tom was a member of Tripoli Shrine Temple where he was instrumental in forming the Tripoli Scottish Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band. He also chaired, and was the driving force, behind the Highlanders annual Tartan Ball.
Tom was passionate about piping. He started piping after winning a set of bagpipes in a card game. He formed the Milwaukee School of Pipes and Drums and brought world class instruction to the area, exposing the community to a level of piping and drumming never experienced before. Tom organized and ran an annual seminar in Milwaukee that was well-attended by pipers and drummers from across the US and Canada. He was also a founding member and piper with the Celtic Nations Pipes and Drums band.
Tom was also heavily involved in the Irish and Scottish community. He was a long-time member of the Milwaukee Shamrock Club and a member of the St. Andrews Society of Milwaukee, where he served on the board of Scottish Fest, now known as the Milwaukee Highland Games, for many years.
In addition, he was a member of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ). He was invested in the Order through the Priory of St. John the Baptist in 2002, where he contributed selflessly of his time. He served for many years as Chief of Protocol, meticulously arranging and overseeing all Priory events, and achieving the rank of Grand Officer.
One of his life passions was the building of the Battle Cross Monument in the SE Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial cemetery in Union Grove. Tom played an integral part in its design, fund raising, management, record keeping, construction coordination and dedication ceremony. The monument is a lasting memorial to the achievements and sacrifice of many thousands of Wisconsin veterans who find their final resting place in Union Grove. The front of the granite base bears the inscription “All gave some, some gave all” along with the emblems of the five branches of the US military. Without Tom, there would be no monument. For Tom it was a labor of love and will stand for many years as a magnificent tribute to the great man that he was.
Recorded funeral for Thomas B. Cobb
