Cobler retires as coroner, son qualifies to run

By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Jan. 3, 2003
Nearly a half century of investigating deaths in Lauderdale County will come to an end this year for Coroner Marl Cobler, who said Thursday he will not seek reelection.
By the end of 2003, Cobler will have served 24 years as coroner, preceded by 20 years as deputy coroner.
Cobler said his retirement has nothing to do with the state temporarily revoking his certification for allegedly not completing 24 hours of annually required continuing education courses last year.
Cobler's decision came as 10 candidates nine Republicans and one Democrat filed to run for county-wide and county district offices Thursday.
His son, Marl "Clayton" Cobler III, was the first candidate to file qualifying paperwork for the Lauderdale County Coroner's position at 8 a.m. Clayton Cobler is director of Metro Ambulance, a paramedic and the county's deputy coroner for more than two decades.
He said the coroner works with law enforcement to investigate accidental and suspicious deaths. "There might be something we see at a death scene that might raise questions, or if someone drops dead for no apparent reason we can possibly help surviving family members identify the cause," he said.
The coroner does not perform autopsies. Steve Hayne, the state's forensic pathologist, is the only person licensed to perform autopsies in Mississippi.
Clayton Cobler said he's been a paramedic since 1988 and an emergency technician since 1975. And, he said, the fact that he's been around death investigations all his life qualifies him for the office.
The elder Cobler said he didn't encourage or discourage his son from seeking office, and that he will help him to make sure he's "on the right track."
OFFICES
Sheriff
William D. "Billy" Sollie,
Republican (Incumbent)
Tax Collector
Stanley A. Shannon,
Republican (Incumbent)
Coroner
Marl "Clayton" Cobler III, Republican
Supervisor, District 2
Wayman Newell, Republican
Justice Court Judge, District 1
Jim Edwards, Republican (Incumbent)
Justice Court Judge, District 3
William "Bill" Gunn, Republican (Incumbent)
Darrell James Theall,
Republican
County Attorney
Greg Malta, Republican
Constable, District 2
Ondray M. Harris Sr.,
Democrat (Incumbent)
Constable, District 3
Mike Meyers, Republican (Incumbent)
The deadline to qualify is Friday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. Party primary elections will be held Aug. 5, with a runoff, if necessary, on Aug. 26. The general election will be Nov. 4.