Jesse "Cobb" Jacob Gray

Jesse “Cobb” Jacob Gray, 85, of Newport, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2019, at his home.

His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at Holly Springs Free Will Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Mitchell Parker.  Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Newport.

Cobb worked on the family farm as a small boy through his early adulthood.  He was happily married to the love of his life, Lela Elizabeth Elliott, for 59 years.  He began his career as a construction worker for T.A. Loving Company building bridges in Morehead City and Atlantic Beach.  He was proud of his work in school to earn his welding certification from Carteret Community College and was well known for his abilities to fix anything.  He served for 43 years in the USDA Forestry Service as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Firefighter.  Colleagues still remember “Cobb” for laying the groundwork for what the Croatan National Forest looks like today.  Few people realize that he also had a part-time job for the Forestry Service playing the role of Smokey the Bear in Christmas parades and school events.  His love of forestry and conservation aided him in achieving many awards throughout his professional career and drove him to start his own sawmilling business.  Locals today can still remember folks standing in line to have Cobb saw their logs on Saturdays.  His Sundays were always devoted to Church and family, as a lifelong member and Deacon of Holly Springs Free Will Baptist Church.  He was a humble man whose Christian actions spoke louder than any words he ever spoke.

He is survived by daughters, Christine Ramey with husband Tony Ramey of Newport, NC, Tammy Bik with husband Brian Bik of Amsterdam, NY, Patricia “Patsy” Turner with husband Will Turner of Newport, NC; “special son”, Kevin Marvel;  and grandchildren, Lindsay Cooley with husband James Cooley, Douglas Marvel, Ashleigh Bik, Jessica Bik, Willie Turner, Melissa Noonan, and Sarah Noonan; and sisters, Betty Crispin and Vi Gillen of Clayton, NC.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lela Elizabeth Gray; parents, Cicero and Ava Gray; sister, Keturah Lewis; and brothers, Joe Gray and James Gray.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2019, at Munden Funeral Home.

Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations may be sent to Holly Springs Free Will Baptist Church at 182 Holly Springs Rd., Newport, NC 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.