James Cobham

James Theron Cobham Jr. also known as “Jim”, departed this life on February 22, 2009 at the young age of 65 at Flower Hospital. James was born March 2, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York to the proud parents of James and Marjorie Cobham. He was the oldest of seven children. James was raised in Savannah, Georgia where he graduated from Alfred E. Beach High School in 1960. James attended Knoxville College where he was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. James graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Education degree in 1967. On August 24, 1968, James married his wife Barbara in Rockford, Illinois. James’ father set a mandate that he had to graduate from college in four years, but James was three credits short. He was determined to be the first in his family with a college degree. He took his first part-time job in 1966 at McDonald’s in Washington D.C. while attending college. Upon graduation, he became a manger, and then went to work as a district supervisor after the McDonald’s corporation recognized his superior skills. James worked in Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri, until 1984, when he moved to Toledo. James currently owns two McDonald’s franchises. James mentored many people during his lifetime, including a 15 year-old named Glenn Johnson while he was living in St. Louis, Missouri. He took Glenn under his wing and taught him about the business. Thanks largely to James’ belief in helping people achieve their dreams, while never seeking the spotlight for him; Mr. Johnson today is the owner of five McDonald’s Restaurant. Shortly after he arrived in Toledo, James made a commitment to the community. Giving of himself was not a job to him but a joy. He served on many boards, including the board of directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities, 50 Men and Women of Toledo, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Toledo Convention & Visitors Bureau, Junior Achievement, The Frederick Douglass Community Association and K.E.V.I.N. Inc. He was past president of the NorthRiver Community Development Corporation, and was a founding board member of both the Northwest Ohio Black Chamber of Commerce and the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union. On the national level, James was past treasurer of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association. Active in local government, he played a key role in the founding of the Middle Passage Political Action Committee. He also was past president of the Neighborhood Health Association, where he worked to improve the quality of health care for all Toledo citizens. Mr. Cobham is survived by his wife of forty years, Barbara Cobham; daughter, Julizene Cobham; granddaughter, Tyra Burley; grandson, Tyrone Burley; father, James Cobham Sr.; brothers, George Cobham, Marshall Cobham and Rodney Cobham; sisters, Cheryl Cobham-Gordon and Yolanda Cobham-Gilbert , special niece, Priscilla Borden, godson James Glenn Johnson and a host of cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and many friends including special friend Glenn Johnson. He was preceded in death by his son, James Cobham III; his mother, Marjorie Cobham; and brother Timothy Cobham. Funeral services were pending at the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities