Texas Breeder of the Year Cobb Dies at 76

Roy Wayne Cobb, named Texas Breeder of the Year in 2019, died peacefully Nov. 13. The lifelong resident of Palo Pinto County, Texas, was 76. He was born Oct. 16, 1944 in Mineral Wells, Texas, to James Shadle Cobb and Lona Mae Gonce and married his lifelong love, Erma Lou Cobb, Sept. 13, 1963. Cobb is survived by his wife of 57 years Erma; his children, Stephanie Cobb and spouse David Tucker, Staci Jackson and spouse Eric, and Landon and Logan Cobb; grand-children Jared and Brandon Hall; sisters Kay Burleson and spouse Clarence, Jimmie Paige; brother-in-law Michael Grimada; sisters-in-law Annette Dobbs, Sherry Kincaid, Nita Calicutt and spouse Bud; a host of nieces and nephews; and lifelong friends Ted Bandy, Michael Neatherlin, and Dan Pish. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother Dessa Cobb; sister Judy Grimada; step-brother Donald Kingston; brothers-in-law Jim Paige, Jesse Dobbs, Toby Kincaid; and nephews Phillip Kincaid and Lloyd Johnson. Roy worked for the Dallas Fire Department for 24 years and then owned his own oil and gas business, RW Operating. He deeply loved his family and friends. His passions included race horses and fast cars. In addition to being named Texas Breeder of the Year, Cobb was honored as the breeder of 2019 Texas Horse of the Year, Mr Money Bags. Cobb also campaigned the 4-year-old Silver City gelding, who was also named the state's champion 3-year-old for last season and kicked off 2020 by winning the Stonderside Sprint Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park. Cobb was also part owner of Kip Deville early in the horse's career. Kip Deville went on to win multiple top-level races including the 2007 NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) for other connections, but his first two initial black-type wins came in Texas. Cobb's life will be celebrated Nov. 17 at 2:00 p.m. CT at Oran Cemetery in Graford, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Graford Ex-Students Association or the Graford Booster Club.