Jacinto A. Cobos

Jacinto "Jack" A. Cobos, 68, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Stormont Vail Regional Health Center of complications following a heart attack. He was born on September 11, 1944, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Felipe and Delfina (Aguilera) Cobos. He was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and Parish. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1962 and immediately joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Pyro AE-24. In 1965, Jack returned to Topeka and began working at Jostens American Yearbook as a graphic artist. After 20 years of service at Jostens American Yearbook he was employed at Exceptional Advertising Agency, where he worked on many projects of creative design. He also volunteered his time and talents to designing several of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church?s Fiesta Mexicana Commemorative books. Jack proudly served as a board member on numerous civic organizations. His most recent accomplishment was serving as a board member on the NOTO Arts District Committee. Jack was an award winning photographer, with a special emphasis on Native-Americans. Beginning in 1972, Jack began a 40-year creative collaboration with his boyhood friend and former Topekan, Tom Rodriguez. Jack designed six books written by Rodriquez, documenting the Hispanic experience in the State of Nevada. Jack also designed Rodriguez?s autobiography about growing up in Topeka, Kansas, titled Americano: My Journey To The Dream. At his passing, Jack was working on Rodriguez?s autobiographical history about his activist days in Las Vegas, Nevada, titled Making A Difference. In October of 2012, Jack and Tom Rodriguez published the most well-known in the Topeka area, The Bottoms: A Place We Once Called Home, a historic account of Topeka?s first and oldest neighborhood, and about the history of Topeka?s greatest civic endeavor, the massive Urban Renewal Program that resulted in the demolition of the Bottoms neighborhood. When he learned of Jack?s passing, Tom Rodriguez, said "Jack Cobos was one of the most talented individuals I have ever known. He could do anything having to do with art, photography, ceramics, computers, graphic arts, and publishing; and everything Jack did was of the highest quality. He was also a man of the highest integrity and a loyal friend. He was one of a kind and I was proud to call him my friend. I will miss him dearly." Jack also designed and published a book written by his son, Nick, who was 32 years old at the time, titled Dreamers Don?t Quit. In 2012 Jack also designed the book, From Kaw Teepee to Capitol, the life story of Vice-President of the United States, Charles Curtis. In July of 2012, Jack published several children?s books written by Topeka authors and illustrated by Jack?s longtime artistic collaborator, Andy Valdivia. With all the accomplishments and accolades of an acclaimed artist, his most notable is the living legacy of family and friends who adored him. He married his one true love, Sara Gonzales on April 23, 1966. She survives. Other survivors include his children Jacquie (David) Munoz and Nicholas Cobos; a brother, Phillip Cobos, a grandson, Aaron Joseph (AJ) Munoz all of Topeka and a step granddaughter, Danielle Munoz of Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother, Steven in infancy. Jack will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Jack?s memory may be made to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home and sent to 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.