Obituary of John Curtiss Combs

John Curtiss Combs passed away peacefully on December 27, 2022, in Roseville, CA, at the age of 89. John was born in Binghamton, New York, on December 6, 1933, to Curtiss and Catherine Combs. He had an older brother Walter and a younger sister, Marlene. 

 

John went to Syracuse University at the College of Forestry. He loved the outdoors and went on to a career in the Forest Service for more than 30 years. John married Doris June Bateman on April 23, 1960, in Ogden, Utah. The two of them moved around with the Forest Service making lifelong friends wherever they went. They lived in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. All beautiful spots that held a special place in John's heart.

 

John and Doris were so excited to become parents in 1969 with their son, Matthew John and in 1973 with their daughter, Becky Catherine. They spent a lot of time hiking, skiing, collecting firewood, supporting their children with sports and school, and visiting with family and friends.  John loved woodworking, making furniture for their house and many things that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

 

John was an active member of the Episcopal Church wherever he lived. He was also involved in the Kiwanis Club. Every year the club would put on the "Follies." The typically reserved John Combs would participate in skits that would always bring a laugh and, in the end, bring support for others in the community.

He was very disciplined and gave 100% to everything. John was always physically active and was an avid skier, he jogged to and from work for many years (even in the snow and cold), later he swam daily, and enjoyed  walking his dog.  John was the kindest man with a gentle smile.

 

Doris passed away in 2012, and John eventually moved to Roseville, CA to be closer to family. The new move allowed John to spend more time with his grandchildren, Connor and Kali.  He enjoyed attending their activities and watching them grow up; he influenced their lives daily. John was an amazing father and Papa.  He loved his family and cherished his friends, whom he considered family.  He enjoyed reminiscing about old times.  John will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

 

John was preceded in death by his wife Doris, parents Curtiss and Catherine, brother Walter, brother-in-law Bob Bateman, sister-in-law June Bateman, sister-in-law Marilyn Norton, and nephew Kent Combs. His survivors include his children Matt and Becky, son-in-law Jim Edmonds, grandchildren Connor and Kali, sister Marlene Combs, sister-in-law Eunice Combs, and 15 nieces and nephews and their families.

 

A memorial service for John will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Carson City, Nevada, on Saturday, February 4, 2023.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter's Church, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Alzheimer's Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.

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