Cosby, John T.

John T. Cosby, 88, of Marion, died at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, May 19, 2011. Services: 1 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Peter Mitchell of Marion Christian Church. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Survivors include his son, John “Tony” (Beverly) Cosby of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren, Thomas (Erin) Cosby of Omaha, Neb., and Nicholas Cosby of Farmington, Ill.; and great-grandchildren, Samantha, John, Brandon and Alexandra.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Julian Cosby; and two sisters, Edna Beatley and Hazel Tandy.

John was born Feb. 27, 1923, in Richmond, Ky., to Uhlan and Anita Cosby. He married Sara Hays there on Dec. 18, 1949. As a Marine, he served in the South Pacific and saw combat in Okinawa. After the war he attended Eastern Kentucky University and received a B.S. degree in agriculture. His first job was in agriculture education in Flemingsburg, Ky. In 1953, they moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he worked as a federal grain inspector. In 1963, he and Sara moved to Marion, where he was the field office supervisor for the USDA, retiring in 1978. After retirement, he was employed at Linn-Mar High School.

John's interests included listening to sports, especially the University of Kentucky Wildcats. He was an avid reader.

Memorials may be directed to the music program at Marion Christian Church.

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