An unofficial obit I write as tribute to my dear friend: Jackie Martin Cobb, Jr. was a gentle man and a scholar, a unique soul with a rapier wit and an impish charm that could make even the most hardened DMV clerk laugh. He was a beloved teacher, an accomplished poet, and a world traveler who mastered several difficult languages with sheer determination and genuine interest. "Jack" or Marty as he was affectionately called (because how could just one name be enough for such an expansive spirit?) believed in the dignity of all life and had a keen sense of justice that challenged all he met to open their hearts to the least of these. Jack loved scrappy underdogs and outsiders fighting for what is right against all odds, from the X-Men and Fletch to Bonhoeffer and Jesus - so much so that he became one himself. He delighted in strangeness, but never knew a stranger, and the world is undoubtably a better place for his having been here every moment of his too brief but fully lived life. He is survived by a great gaggle of friends and students in every corner of the planet, and by his adored and adoring family.
A moment in Thornton Wilder's classic play OUR TOWN sums up Jack's greatest gift:
EMILY: Does anyone ever realize life while they live it...every, every minute?
STAGE MANAGER: No. Saints and poets maybe...they do some.
Indeed, Jackie Martin Cobb did.
I'm so sorry No Kie for the loss of your husband. I know you loved him and he loved you.
I'm so sad to hear about Marty passing away. I have many great memories of him from being in FCA at WKU. One of my favorites was when we would be riding around in his car on campus, whenever we'd stop, the seats in his car weren't anchored down very well, so we'd really rock back and forth. He would somehow make this even more hilarious. He was a sweet fun loving guy that we all we liked.
I met Marty at WKU while we were students in the English Dept, and through mutal friends at the Baptist Student Center. I never got to know him well until after college.
All I can share with his family and other friends is this:
Any tears and sorrow we have at his passing may be painful now but is fleeting. But his sense of humor and the laughter we shared with him. Those will endure.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rest well, Marty.
Kind, warm, gentle soul. We shared great conversations and boisterous laughs. These are great memories. Thank you, my friend, and keep smiling.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Jack was a kind soul and he will be greatly missed by so many. My prayers are with his family during this time.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Gonna miss you, Jack. I enjoyed our friendship. You were a good man, and the world is poorer for your absence.
Jack has left nothing but wonderful smiles in my memories. He will always have a place in my heart and my thoughts.
Martie taught me the ways of love. We met through Young Life, but our time together on the beach and water was truly something special. We would cruise A1A in his silver convertible and just enjoy the sun while listening to Rod Stewart. Each year, on his birthday, we would go for a special swim in the ocean waves. He gave me my pet possum, JarJar, on the day that I lost my job at the church. What a special, special soul! I will never forget him.
Jack touched so many lives in amazing way and he will be greatly missed. Gone too soon my friend.
You were one of the good ones, Jack. I will miss you, my friend.
I met Jack at Murray State when he was in the mfa program. He was in charge of the faculty club where I stayed during the residency. We were almost in a car wreck once and he warned me about kids who get hit in purpose for the insurance payout; also learned of the corbread mafia. He was so smart, generous, rightminded, beloved, a truly good man. I am shocked he passed away and I send condolences to his partner.
Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers.
We love you Jack! Our time was too short but I know you have gone to a hallowed and happy place. Still our heart weeps because we know you will never be back. Be happy; love from Anicha and Min
May you have much Peace in this time of deep sorrow.
I am saddened by Marty's passing and have fond memories of him in college and the few times thereafter that I saw him. May we all find comfort in knowing that he is in Heaven.
I met Jack in Murray State's MFA in creative writing program. We became fast friends and spent many hours discussing life and stories. I was also able to meet up with Jack a few years ago in China, when he was on a business trip near where I was living. We fell right back into those both serious and hilarious discussions of life and literature that we'd had years before when we were grad students dreaming of literary greatness. I'll miss his earnestness and his humor, and how he always laughed at my jokes. We had good times. My deepest condolences.
My wife, Holly, and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage this May 8th. That's not the day we actually got married, and I can't even tell you the day we made things official. We consider our anniversary May 8th. We had planned to have a small ceremony in the backyard of the place we rented back then. We called every preacher and justice of the peace we could find in the phone book, but because that day was also WKU's graduation day, everyone had other commitments. We were desperate. That's when Jack stepped up and volunteered to stand up with us as we said our vows. I think he was almost as nervous as we were. We'd known each other several years from our time haunting Cherry Hall and loving writing and reading great literature. It was still a wonderful gesture he made to help us out. We made the marriage official a week or so later, but every May 8th I think of that sweltering day, the beautiful woman standing beside me and how that day would have been very different had Jack not been there to save the day.
Ann and family, you are all in my prayers. I am heartbroken for you all. Praying for God's comfort.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Ann, (Jennifer and family), Steve and I are so sorry to hear about your son's passing. Sending prayers your way for comfort during this difficult time.
My heart is breaking for u & Jenny, Ann. My thoughts & prayers r with u. I love u!Q
Marty was my freshman roommate at WKU. He was a awesome guy and we became very good friends that year. I am sorry that we didn't stay in touch. Heaven has received a very special person.
Marty was a fine young man
My prayers are with your family. I remember Marty well from being in Fellowship of Christians Athletes at Western Kentucky University. He had a joy for life that was wonderful to experience.
May God be with you,
Dionne Milam
Marty was a dear college friend in our FCA group at Western. He was the best man in one of my closest friends wedding. I remember him as funny, intelligent, thoughtful, friendly and a real thinker. I am truly so sad for this loss. May God bring comfort and peace to your family during this very difficult time.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Jack was a writing friend from college and a Facebook friend who inspired others with his kindness and passion. He will be greatly missed.
My prayers are with his family and friends.
Ann, words can't describe how sorry I am for your loss. Praying for you and the family!
Jack was a friend and a kindred spirit. From the first time we met in college, I knew he was my kind of guy. I will miss him more than I can say.
Ann, I am so sorry, my heart breaks for you and your family. I am sorry we can't make the visitation. Donnie is not well. We will be in Prayer for you.
Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. Can't imagine what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
REQUIEM aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. From his Latin teacher, who thought the world of him.
RIP Martie
Love You
Your Aunt Carolyn
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Kara Devlin 
Wendy Pons Stahr 
Andi Baldwin Porter 
DeWayne Short 
Kevin Hajovsky 
Amanda Niedwick 
SHARON KISSEL 
Bret Bearup 
Valarie Phelps 
Mary McGavin 
Carrie Stewart 
Wes Lawrence 
Lynn Pruett 
Wanda Duvall 
Anicha Bay 
Eddie Cunningham 
Dresden Wall Brunner 
Vince Tweddell 
Brent Fisk 
Denise LeBaron 
Mary Sumner 
Dianne Hildebrant 
Jarrod Dickinson 
Darrell Bowers 
Dionne Milam 
Ann Hamilton 
Rachel Johnson 
Phyllis Wells 
Daniel Dowell 
Joanna McDonald 
Mary Wright 
Erika Brady 
Carolyn Baker