Carl Wayne Kobe, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the age of 84 years.

Wayne was born on December 30, 1941, in Endeavour, Saskatchewan. When he was five years old, he moved with his family to Drumheller, Alberta. During his younger years, he delivered the Calgary Herald and on weekends, delivered various flyers. After leaving school, he went to work for McLeod’s Store. He married Pat Windsor, and they had two children, Corrie and Valen. They later divorced and he transferred to Ponoka. He continued working for McLeod’s until he moved to the Peace River area.

Wayne went to work for Peace Pipe Line in Valleyview. There, he met Betty in 1969. They married a year later and soon after, moved to Edmonton, where he continued working for Peace Pipe Line. He eventually accepted a job transfer to Regina, SK, where he worked until he moved back to Valleyview. This is where he started Kobe’s Auto Body with his brothers, Terry and Brian. He rented a farmhouse and later bought his own land, where they started building their home. He remained on that land, raising a small herd of cattle and doing custom haying. Wayne started a gathering station for the Rimbey Auction Mart and later, for Clyde Auction. He remained on the farm until moving to Grande Prairie to be near his son, Boyd, who was in a care home. A year later, Wayne developed a tumor in his bladder, which required surgery. Because of complications from the antiseptic, he, too, became a resident of the Care Centre. Another year later, he developed further complications and passed away with his wife, son, and grandsons at his side.

Wayne will be sadly missed by his wife, Betty Kobe (Grande Prairie); sons Tom Kobe (Calgary) and Trevor Kobe (Valleyview); grandsons Nathan, Brayden, Logan, and Morgan (all of Valleyview); granddaughters Brielle and McKenzie Kobe (all of Valleyview); brothers Dennis Kobe (Calgary) and Brian {Anne} Kobe (Calgary); sisters Kathy Vickers (Drumheller) and Mildred {Chuck} Sibbald (Leduc); in-laws Stan {Gladys} Nattestad (Stettler) and CeeAee Dovanne (Tennessee); as well as many extended family members and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Melinda Kobe; sons Carl Valentine Kobe (Calgary) and Boyd Kobe (Grande Prairie); sister Charlotte Seth (Leduc); in-laws Don Vickers (Drumheller), Lillian Kammermayer (Redwater), Esther Fuller (Edmonton), and Ivan Nattestad (Stettler); as well as other extended family members.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held sometime in the spring.