Jerry Combs

Jerry M. Combs, age 85 of Dayton, passed away suddenly October 6, 2019. He was born February 11, 1934 in Hazard, KY to the late Richmond and Julia Combs. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Clara "Liz" Combs; and 13 brothers and sisters.

Jerry is survived by his children: Deborah (Josh) Akemon, Anna (Jerry) Vaughn, Moriston (Carol) Combs, and Gardener Combs; step-children; grandchildren: Lisa Meyer, Lori Speer, Chris Harmon, Jen (Greg) Kerr, Steve Vaughn, David Vaughn, Missy (Jim) Hause, Kristi (Kelvin) Hutchins, and Katie Combs; among numerous great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren that loved him dearly and knew him fondly as "Papaw Jerry".

While Jerry spent most of his life in the beautiful rolling hills of Hazard, KY working in the coalmines he came up to Dayton, OH to find work after his kids were born. Despite his move, he kept close-knit ties to his extended family back home were his heart stayed. He did factory work, until he was eventually able to start his own moving company. He did that most of his life until he retired to take care of his loving, devoted wife Liz when she fell ill.

He spent most of his retirement taking care of people, fixing up cars, and faithfully attending the Evangel Church of God. Those nearest and dearest to him were God and his kin. They became the thing he valued most in his later years. He adored watching his children, and grandchildren grow gleaming with pride for every single one. He was the type of person that would give you the shirt off his back and the last five dollars in his wallet as long as it would make you smile or make life easier for others. He lived his life the only way he thought he should, living by and spreading the word of the Lord, God as well as being the most generous, kind soul anyone had the pleasure of meeting.

The people that love him will forever picture him tinkering and working on the cars in the garage where he spent the majority of his time in his final years. There was no doubt that anyone that met him was made better by his presence. He was a simple, stubborn man that refused to let life get the better of him despite all the tribulations that he faced. Now that he has passed, we find comfort that he is flying high with the Angels in Heaven looking down on us with loving admiration waiting for the day that we join him in Paradise.

Jerry "Papaw", we will love you and miss you for the rest of our days here on Earth. Your loving smile will forever be imprinted on our hearts for years to come.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Newcomer North Chapel, 4104 Needmore Road, where the funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday. Burial to follow at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Tipp City. To share a memory of Jerry or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.