Max O. Cogburn, Sr.
March 21, 1927 ~ December 21, 2002
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Max O. Cogburn, Sr., 75, of 70 Pisgah View Ranch Road, Candler,
died unexpectedly Saturday, December 21, 2002.
At the time of his death he was Chairman of the Board of the Bank
of Asheville, owner of Pisgah View
Ranch, and a partner in the law firm Cogburn, Goosmann, Brazil and Rose, PA. He practiced law in WNC for over 50 years.
Judge Cogburn was born March 21, 1927, in Canton, NC, to the late Chester A. and Ruby D. Cogburn.
He graduated from the University of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina Law
School in 1950. He moved to
Cambridge, MA where he attended
Harvard Law School and received a
Masters of Law degree in 1951. At that time he was the youngest recipient of that degree in the law school’s history. After returning from Massachusetts he worked as the assistant director of the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill intending to become a professor of law. He also was the Administrative Assistant to
M.V. Barnhill, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
He chose to join his father Chester in the practice of law returning to Buncombe County in 1955, beginning his practice in Haywood County. In addition to his firm at the time of his death, during his legal career Judge Cogburn was a partner of the law firms of Cogburn and Cogburn,
Lee, Lee and Cogburn, Roberts and
Cogburn, Roberts, Cogburn and
Williams, and Roberts, Stevens and
Cogburn.
He also served as General County Court Judge from 1968 to 1970.
Judge Cogburn served as the Chairman of the Buncombe County
Democratic Party and was President of the Buncombe County Bar Association.
For his commitment to practicing law, he was honored by the N.C. Bar
Association in 1994 when he was
inducted into the General Practice Hall of Fame. Lawyers selected for the Hall of Fame are chosen for the highest ethical standards and for serving their community.
In 1996 he joined the newly created Bank of Asheville and served as chairman of the board.
Judge Cogburn is survived by his wife, Mary Heidt Cogburn; a
daughter, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Cynthia
Cogburn-Muszynski, and her husband Nick Muszynski (Lt. Col., USAF, Ret.) of Columbia, MD; three sons, Max O. Cogburn, Jr. and his wife Fran, Dr. M. David Cogburn and His wife Gay and Steven D. Cogburn and his wife Julie, all of Asheville; seven grandchildren, Christopher and Clint Cogburn, Cameron and Cullen Cogburn, Max, III (Trip) and Casey Cogburn, and Colton Cogburn-Muszynski; two step-grandchildren, Melissa and Nicole
Muszynski; and one sister, Phyllis C. Parris and her husband Sam of Candler.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am Tuesday at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, D.M., with burial to follow at Green Hills Cemetery. The Rev. Father Francis T. Cancro and the Rev. Mr. Art Kingsley will officiate.
His family will receive friends from 6 - 9 pm Monday at Groce
Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Joan of Arc Church
Building Fund, 919 Haywood Road,
Asheville, NC 28806, or to Asheville Catholic School, 12 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC 28804.
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We share your loss in the passing of a good friend, exceptional lawyer and great man. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to all his family.
A sign of a true friend is always having a smile. I never met Max Cogburn when he didn’t have a smile. He was truly a friend to everyone he met.
Mary, our condolences to you and the family.
Harold & Elizabeth Cogburn
Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the Cogburn Family, and especially to my Doctor and good friend,David. Rogerand Helen Glance
We were so sorry to learn of the passing of Max. You are all in our thoughts. Marjorie and David Mann
Our best to the family.
Billy and Cindy Clarke
David Cogburn & family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of your loss. May God bless you and ease your pain.
Sincerely,
Jimmy,Donna,Joseph & Kayla Shuford
I have worked with the judicial system for 28 years, 20 years as a court reporter and presently as trial court administrator in the 30th Judicial District. My prayers and condolences go out to the family of Max. He was one of my favorite people. What a true gentleman!! My family and I have enjoyed for years coming to the Pisgah Ranch on Sundays to listen to Max and his story-telling, and even back when his mother was playing piano. I know you will miss him greatly, but his legacy lives in the hearts and minds of especially the legal community. He was a dear man.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
max jr. sorry to hear about your dad i wanted to show my respects i know he was a good man as all of the family is stay strong and i will keep you an your family in prayers. rick mcmahan
Mary,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Sylvia
My Dearest Aunt Mary,
How I long to be with you. I wish there was someway I could help you bear this most heavy of crosses. If there was anyway I could take the pain from your heart I would do it gladly. Uncle Max was one of the most gentliest and caring of men. He was never one to judge but always one to help. I deeply feel your sorrow but I must be comforted by the realization that he is truly happy with his Creator, watching over us from Heaven, awaiting our arrival so that we may enjoy everlasting love and peace. Max Jr., David, Steve and Cindy-I love you.
Catherine Anne
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Mr. Cogburn was the epitome of a true southern gentleman. He always had a smile and kind words for us each time he saw us. He will be truly missed.
We send our prayers to all your family.
Love
Kim
Cogburn Family,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Cogburn was a true delight with his pleasant smile and gentleman ways. He will be missed.
Debra Johnson
I was deeply saddened to read that Max was no longer with us. Without doubt, he is in a much better place, and I’m sure that there was much rejoicing in heaven when Max joined their midst. Many were the times that Max made many of us laugh until we hurt while we were eating lunch in the cafe of the BB&T Building. We missed him when he left for Central Avenue, and we will miss him more now. My deepest sympathy to all of the Cogburn family.
May peace be with you in the passing of your love one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Armando, Sharon and Spencer Sansone
DEAR FAMILY,
WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. IT WAS AN HONOR TO KNOW MR. COGBURN. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYER ARE WITH ALL THE FAMILY.
LOVE, REX AND RUTH PENLEY
To Phyllis
Just wanted to make contact with you after so many years (UNC) to let you know that I am very sorry to hear of your brother’s death.
We have lived here in Cullowhee for
most of our married life. Hope you still hear from Nancy Wilson (not sure of her married name now) as I have lost contact with her, too.
Our sympathy to you and your brother’s famil
To the Cogburn family:
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family during this time of sorrow.
Lewis and Becky Israel
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time … I had worked there about 2 years ago and I injoyed working for him and serving him his breakfeast and lunch … He was always high spirited and seemed to make coming to work alot easer .. Thanks for letting me know such a special person …Tacy
I worked for Mr. Cogburn when the firm was Roberts, Cogburn & Williams in the Jackson Building. I am very saddened to hear of his death. I’m sure he is sharing his marvelous jokes and wonderful smile with the Almighty. Mr. Cogburn was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and I will never forget him. He will be missed so very, very much. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God bless.
I worked for Mr. Cogburn when the firm was Roberts, Cogburn & Williams in the Jackson Building. I am very saddened to hear of his death. I’m sure he is sharing his marvelous jokes and wonderful smile with the Almighty. Mr. Cogburn was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and I will never forget him. He will be missed so very, very much. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God bless.
Bill and I spent many summers visiting you all at the ranch after
we returned from Qatar until our re-tirement. When we moved here in 1991, we would see Max on our many
erands. He always stopped to speak
and acted as though he had all the
time in the world, though we knew he had many demands. The world will be a decicedly lonlier place withouthim. May God Bless you all.
Mary and Bill Cato
Bill and I spent many summers visiting you all at the ranch after
we returned from Qatar until our re-tirement. When we moved here in 1991, we would see Max on our many
erands. He always stopped to speak
and acted as though he had all the
time in the world, though we knew he had many demands. The world will be a decicedly lonlier place withouthim. May God Bless you all.
Mary and Bill Cato
May God give you Joy in the memories of the wonderful, caring man that Max was. He was a real
gentleman, and friend. He will be
missed by all.
Mary and Bill Cato
I wish to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. I knew Max to be a wonderful, kind, caring and compassionate man. In addition, he was a devoted and loving husband. His children attest to the strength of his character and his devotion to them. I am grateful to have had the honor and privilege to have known Max and will always cherish his memory. My heart and prayers go out to his family for I know your hearts are heavy with grief. In time your pain will lessen and your fond memories will always be cherished.
The Cogburn Family,
We were sorry to hear about Max’s death. Neil was in the hospital for knee surgery during that time and we were unable to attend the funeral. If there is anything that we can do to help in any way, please let us know.
Neil and Gail Davis
Sorry to hear of Max’s death. Knew him as a distant relative and have used his legal services when I lived in Candler. My condolences to his family and friends. May God be with you in this hour of need.
Earl and Marie McElrath
Mary Cogburn and Family,
We just want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with
you. We have wonderful memories
of Pisgah View Ranch and the
Cogburn reunions of which Max
was the most memorable. We share
your loss of a great man.
I was in Canton High School with Max and attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal church near his home on Academy St. He was so gentle and well-mannered. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Patricia Campbell Devlin
Mrs. Cogburn, David and Family:
We are in Maine and just learned today of your loss. We wanted to send this message with our sincere sympathy. I have known him for so many years and considered him a real friend. Our thoughts are with your family especially since I lost my Dad at Christmas two years ago.
Mrs. Cogburn, David and Family:
We are in Maine and just learned today of your loss. We wanted to send this message with our sincere sympathy. I have known him for so many years and considered him a real friend. Our thoughts are with your family especially since I lost my Dad at Christmas two years ago.
Mrs. Cogburn, David and Family:
We are in Maine and just learned today of your loss. We wanted to send this message with our sincere sympathy. I have known him for so many years and considered him a real friend. Our thoughts are with your family especially since I lost my Dad at Christmas two years ago.
Mrs. Cogburn, Steve, and Family, I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Cogburn. My thought and prayers are with your family. With prayers, Ramona
My deepest sympathy. Max and I attended Candler High School together. He was a most kind person. You will miss a good friend.
Although only a distant relative, Max has always been one of my favorite cousins. As a young lawyer, he treated me (and all other young attorneys) with a courtesy and respect that was sincerely appreciated. He ALWAYS had that twinkle in his eyes and smile on his lips. He represented his clients interests to the utmost, but always with respect to the other side. A true gentleman, and a true gentle person. Max, you are missed.
Bill Trull (related through the Davis and Pless families from Haywood County)
Dear Steve, Julie and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. May God be with you during your time of sorrow. Take Care. Mike, Cindy and family.
Mary and family we were so saddened to hear of Max’s death. We count ourselves very fortunate to have known him thru our visits at PVR. May God bless you and give you His peace at this time.
Mary and family we were so saddened to hear of Max’s death. We count ourselves very fortunate to have known him thru our visits at PVR. May God bless you and give you His peace at this time.
Mary and family we were so saddened to hear of Max’s death. We count ourselves very fortunate to have known him thru our visits at PVR. May God bless you and give you His peace at this time.
Mary and family we are so sorry for your loss. To know Max was to love him immediately.
Mr. Cogburn was always the most congenial gentleman. The last time we were at the ranch for breakfast, he spent most of our meal talking with us, and it was such a delightful time visiting with him. We will greatly miss his smiling face and great conversation. Our condolescences to his entire family.
It has been my pleasure and honor to know the Cogburn family through dancing on the Pisgah View Ranch Square Dance Team, enjoying the delicious meals & conversations with your family during our visits, and during my years of employment at the DA’s Office. You are truly a special family and the Ranch is a special place to me and my family.
I had a family member in the hospital at the time of your loss, so I was not able to be with physically. However, my prayers have been and are with you for now and the days ahead.
May God Bless and Comfort each of you.
Diane Smith Bell
and family
January 1, 2003
May love and light be with you, Max, as you make the transition. You will be long remembered for many things, from sharing your morning newspaper to sharing your wit and wisdom. May the power of God’s love support the family.
Sorry to hear of your loss. My thought and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
david&family,we are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing.max was a wonderful person and friend to all.god bless you all.jim&lissa mcglamery and edna scoggins
MARY SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MR COGBURN,,PLEASE CALL,IF I CAN BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE..YOU ARE SUCH A DEAR FRIEND TO ME…CHERISH HIS MEMORIES, THEY ARE FOREVER..LOVE,JEAN
I was so sorry to hear about Max. It’s so sad to see so many of our family members leaving us. I will miss seeing him at the Cogburn Reunion’s. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
We regret losing Max. We have vivid
memories of happy days at the Ranch
with Max and his Mom and Dad providing both food for the body and
the soul as they shared their enthusiasm for living. Having known
Max for over 40 years, we know that
the world is poorer for the loss of
this fine man who represented the
best in his professional and personal life. Our sympathy goes to
his family and all the friends who
will also feel his absence from our
world.
Charles and Mary Browning – Franklin
I remember dining at the Ranch with my family when I was a child. Mr. Cogburn was visiting people at different tables and seemed to make everyone laugh. Even at age 11 or so I was impressed with his gentlemanly demeanor, and sensed that he was very much respected and loved by those whose life he touched. My best to the family.
I remember dining at the Ranch with my family when I was a child. Mr. Cogburn was visiting people at different tables and seemed to make everyone laugh. Even at age 11 or so I was impressed with his gentlemanly demeanor, and sensed that he was very much respected and loved by those whose life he touched. My best to the family.
My heartfelt sympathy to each and every one of the Cogburn family. I am now living in Arizona, but distance cannot diminish my thoughts and prayers that go out to you. Rose Anderson
Max was a good friend and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Dear Cogburn Family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
God Bless You,
Glendal M. Hall and Family
A real loss, he was a real gentleman and will be missed by all,
family and friends alike. I will
always remember our visit at the
ranch.
With deepest sympathy.
my thoughts and prayers are with his family
I was so sorry to hear about the death of Max Cogburn, Sr. The few times I met him while working for David he was a truly distinguished southern gentleman, very kind and gracious. When visiting the Pisgah View Ranch, he always made everyone feel ‘at home’. This is a great loss for everyone but my prayers go out to his family during this particularly difficult time.
Steve, Max, David, Cindy and Mary – I am so sorry about your loss. Please know that my thoughts are with you all and the your loved one was a great inspiration in my life. He memory will live forever. May God be with you at this time and forever more.
Love always
Barbara P. Davis
Max. Jr. and family: My sincerest
sympathy to you and your family in
the loss of your father.
We remember the good times in
Candler. Jane K. Burgin
My father, June Glenn, Jr., sister, Emily A. Glenn and rest of our family send our sincere sympathies to all of you. We all enjoyed our last visit to the Ranch for supper and our visit with Max this past fall. Daddy always enjoyed working with him through the newspaper and he cherished their friendship over the years. We have truely lost a great friend. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Marsha Glenn Stafford
We are very sorry to hear about Max. I have always thought the world of Him and the whole family. I will miss him deaply.
Love and Prayers go out to the family,
Love
Rhonda
I am sorry to hear about Max.My prayers are with the family
Love
Arida
We are sorry to hear about Max. Our love and prayers are with you and the family.
Love,
Sheryl and Kim
We are sorry to hear about Max he will be missed.
Love
Patty,Wendell and Whitney
Mary and family, Our deepest condolences.
Wayne and Louise Gosnell
Dr. David Cogburn:
We knew and admired your father and grandfather.
Wayne and Lousie Gosnell