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Paul Russell Cobb was born on 

March 4th, 1947, in Russell, 

KS, to Vaughn and Elaine Cobb. 

Paul was the second of six 

children. 

Paul's favorite childhood 

memory is building things with 

his older brother and friends. 

They would often construct 

things out of scrap metal or 

junk. He remembers fondly the 

time they built a make believe 

oil rig out of assorted materials.

Growing up, the Cobb family moved around the state of 

Kansas quite a bit. They originated in Russell, then 

moved to Bunker Hill. From there they moved to Wilson 

when Paul was 8, to Liberal for 6 months, and finally on 

a small farm just south of Bunker Hill. Of all these 

places, Wilson was his favorite. Often times, his mother 

would send his brother, Charles, and himself out with a 

sandwich and a canteen of water and they would be out 

for the entire day. 

In school, Paul was more fond of Athletics than 

Academics. His favorite sport was Track and Field, 

with Basketball as his second. However, if he 

could change anything about his teenage years, 

he would have concentrated a bit more on school. 

If he could pick one new product that came out 

during his childhood that impressed him the 

most, it would be Tang, the powdered Orange 

Juice drink. 

Paul's favorite television show growing up was 

entitled Route 66, an adventure show that 

focused on two friends, who traveled across 

the country in a Corvette and had many 

adventures during their journey.

When Paul was 15, he began working his first job 

over the summer harvest in the fields of a local 

farmer, Melvin Meier. He was paid $3.33 a day and 

worked for six days a week. Although their families 

had known each other for generations, this is when 

Paul got to know Marsha Meier, the farmer's 

daughter and Paul's future wife. 

After the summer was over, Paul had saved up 

$200 and bought a 1953 Pea Green Ford Mainliner.

The day John F. Kennedy, the 35th President 

of the United States, was assassinated, Paul 

was a junior in High School, sitting in a science 

class. One of the teachers from the elementary 

side of the school announced the news to the 

high school side.

If Paul could choose a memory to relive, he would 

want to relive in running track meets in High 

School.

His biggest regret? Not going and running track at a 

collegiate level.

Paul graduated in 1965 from Bunker Hill High 

School, where he was the president of his 

senior class. He did not go to college and 

joined the National Guard.  

Paul then transferred into the Army Reserves, which 

he enjoyed when he had something to keep him 

busy. During the time, he had no political feelings 

toward Vietnam, but in retrospect, he finds the entire 

situation to be a travesty where many young men 

lost their lives who wouldn't have had to.

Paul went to Drill Sergeant's school for two 

years and was a Drill Sergeant for another two 

years. He enjoyed it, as he only did it over the 

course of two summers. 

On February 25th, 1967, Paul married Marsha 

Meier in a small church in Bunker Hill. Since 

Marsha was going to college at Brown Mackie 

in Salina, KS, the young couple chose to settle 

there.

The person who was most influential in Paul's 

life was his grandfather, Warren Cobb. 

When asked about his thoughts on the Civil 

Rights Movement, Paul explained that while 

they knew what was going on, they were very 

far removed from it. Living in rural Kansas, he 

hadn't even ever seen an African-American. 

The first time he ever met one was when he 

was in the service.

On August 7th, 1974, Paul and Marsha 

welcomed their first child, Sally Jill Cobb. 

On April 22nd, 1976, their second child, Angela 

Faith Cobb, was born. 

Paul considers these two days his proudest 

moments.

His favorite moments with his daughters are 

playing outside, building snow forts and 

snowmen during the winter months.

The best year of Paul's life was 1983. On April 1st of 

that year, he began his own construction company. He 

had been doing construction work for some time before 

that, but this was the opportunity to work for himself. 

He considers this his turning point.

This job was his favorite job he had in his lifetime. 

His favorite house he has built was the first 

house he built as Cobb Construction Company. 

It was located on Country Hills Road.

If Paul could bring anything from his past back, he 

would bring back family members who had passed 

away.

What advice does Paul have for teens today?

"Don't feel convinced that you have to go out 

and get a degree. If you feel like you'd like to 

work with your hands or get into some type of 

technical school, do it. Or just out of high 

school, get into construction or be an 

apprentice to a plumber or an HVAC technician  

or a contractor or an electrician. There are all 

sorts of jobs out there that are fulfilling and 

well paying."

Today, Paul has retired but he still does small 

projects from time to time and spends every day in 

his shop. He enjoys playing cards and going to car 

shows in his free time. He also enjoys spending time 

with his two granddaughters, Sydney and Shiloh.