Floyd Harvey Kobs

Floyd Harvey Kobs, 83, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, January 6, 2013.

He was born on November 29, 1929 in Addicks, Texas to Harvey E. Kobs and Clara (Moehle) Kobs and was raised as a third-generation dairy farmer. Floyd and his family originally moved their dairy farm business to Brenham in 1947 when their land was bought out to build Addicks Dam. He left Brenham briefly to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War for which he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning to Brenham from serving his country, Floyd met the love of his life, Ruby (Sander) Kobs.

They were married on June 24, 1956 at New Wehdem Lutheran Church and were blessed with over 56 years of marriage together, 2 daughters and 1 son, 5 grandsons, 2 great-grandsons, and at least 20 Boston Terriers. Floyd and Ruby maintained a fully functioning dairy farm until 1991 and then continued to manage their own cattle through 2010.

During his spare time, Floyd loved travelling and took his family on several cross-country road trips throughout the West, visiting multiple national parks and landmarks. This included riding his motorcycle earlier in life, of which he said he “always rode like an old man, because he never had any accidents.” The other “joy of his life” was sharing his music ministry in local nursing and retirement homes as the “Accordion Man.” Though he learned to play the accordion as a younger man, after retiring from the dairy business in 1991, he began playing with his mother, Clara, for at least 19 facilities a month until her death in 2000. He continued in this music ministry through 2006, even bringing his beloved Boston Terriers, Lucy and Heidi, to visit with the residents.

He also loved working with his hands. After retiring from dairy ranching, he converted his dairy barn into a wood shop where he crafted old-fashioned style wheelbarrows and furniture – he even made skateboards and a scooter which he taught his dogs how to ride. He also converted an old cistern into a smokehouse which he used for curing the sausage and jerky that he enjoyed making with his family. Though he stopped playing the accordion and woodworking after experiencing a heart attack in July 2006, he found a new “pride and joy” in his garden, working on it year-round with his sweetheart, Ruby.

Floyd was a devoted husband, father and grandfather (“Popo”). His family and friends knew him for his love of the Lord and being an honest, hardworking, dependable, and caring man who loved his family deeply.

Survivors include his wife of 56 ½ years, Ruby (Sander) Kobs; his sister: Lenora (Kobs) Ziechang; two daughters: Donna (Kobs-Wells) Hammons and husband Eugene C. Hammons of Brenham, and Connie (Kobs) Lehmann and husband Mark Lehmann of Bothell, WA; one son: Nelson Floyd Kobs and wife Sandra (Gardiner) Kobs of Brenham. Five grandsons: Dr. Jonathan Franklin Wells of Seattle, WA; Staff Sergeant Joseph Floyd Wells USMC and wife Amber (Emond) Wells USMC of Brenham; Phillip Lehmann of Seattle, WA; Brent Kobs and Trevor Kobs of Brenham; and two great-grandsons: Noah Wells and Jonah Wells of Brenham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Clara Kobs, his brother-in-law, Edwin (Zeke) Ziechang; and his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be 5-7 PM Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be 11AM Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Brenham Memorial Chapel with Charlie Matejowsky officiating. Burial will be private.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Rev. Calvin Beckendorff, Dr. Jonathan Wells, Staff Sgt. Joseph Wells USMC, Phillip Lehmann, Brent Kobs, Trevor Kobs, Marilyn Kenjura Kleypas, Brenham First Baptist Church “Scripture Searchers” Bible study class, Bracey Bledsoe, Gary Lange, William Schawe, Dr. William Loesch, and Paul Kenjura.

Pallbearers will be: Kenneth Pieper, Roger Ellermann, Ron Poehlmeyer, Robert Loesch, Gene Cooper, and Barney Loesch.

Memorials may be given in Floyd’s honor to the Lupus Foundation of America (3701 Kirby Dr. Houston TX 77098), Hospice Brazos Valley (302 E. Blue Bell Rd. Brenham TX 77833) or Washington County EMS (1875 U.S. Hwy 290 West Brenham TX 77833).

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St. Brenham, TX. 979-836-3611. To leave a tribute, visit www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.