Major Alphonso “Al” Cobb was born in Waycross, Georgia, the youngest of four children born to the late Eva “Medea” Cobb and George Cobb Sr. He grew up in a family known for its athletic excellence, with several family members distinguished as high school and collegiate quarterbacks. During his senior year at Center High School, Al helped lead his football team to an outstanding eleven-win season and earned recognition as the team’s leading pass receiver.
Following graduation, Al attended Hampton Institute, where he participated in football, baseball, and boxing. After injuries interrupted his athletic career there, he transferred to Albany State College, where he played on the championship football and basketball teams. Al earned a degree in Sociology from Albany State College in 1959. Following graduation, he played professional baseball in San Antonio, Texas, in the historic Spanish-American League.
Military Service
In 1960, Al was inducted into the United States Army. He completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson and graduated from the Army Photography School at Fort Monmouth. His early assignments included duty stations at Fort Sam Houston, Heidelberg, and the The Pentagon. In 1967, Al was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, where he earned his commission as an Infantry Officer. He subsequently served as a Training Officer at Fort Bliss before attending Jungle Operations Training in Panama.
Al completed Airborne and Ranger training and served two combat tours in Vietnam. During his distinguished military career, he also attended the Army’s Special Forces Language School at Fort Bragg and served as a Vietnamese Infantry Advisor. Additional assignments took him throughout the United States, South America, and overseas. Following assignments at Fort Benning, Fort Stewart, Fort Gillem, and Fort McPherson in Georgia, Al completed his final active-duty assignment at Fort Dix. It was there that he met Addie Fripp, who would later become his beloved wife.
Major Cobb retired from the United States Army with the rank of Infantry Major after a distinguished military career spanning more than two decades. His many military honors included the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, four Army Commendation Medals, two Purple Hearts, the Air Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, along with numerous other medals, citations, and commendations earned through faithful and courageous service to his country.
Retirement and Family Life
After retiring from the Army, Al returned to his home state of Georgia. In 1991, he married the love of his life, Golf Teaching Professional and African American Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Addie Fripp Cobb. During retirement, Al continued serving others through positions in the mental health field and as a GED instructor for Levi Strauss & Company and Valdosta Technical Institute. He also assisted with the opening of Kinderlou Forest, one of Georgia’s premier championship golf courses.
Among the many roles he enjoyed, his favorites included serving as a freelance photographer for African American Golfer’s Digest Magazine and working as Director of Marketing and Golf Instructor for the Addie Cobb Golf Academy. These positions combined his love of people, photography, sports, and education.
Legacy
Al will be remembered as a devoted husband, decorated combat veteran, gifted athlete, educator, mentor, photographer, and friend. He lived a life defined by courage, service, perseverance, and love for family.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 35 years, Addie Fripp Cobb of Valdosta, Georgia; his sister, Velma Herrington of Waycross, Georgia; his daughter, Tracey Cobb; his stepson, Allen Parker III; his granddaughter, Briana Cobb; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. His legacy of service, strength, and dedication will live on in all who knew and loved him.
The Celebration of Life was held on Friday, June 5, 2026, 1:00 p.m., at Mrs. Eula C. Godfrey Memorial Chapel, 636 River Street, Valdosta, GA. A public viewing was held on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, at Godfrey Funeral Home, 636 River Street, Valdosta, GA. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hospice of South Georgia.
