James R. Combs, 77, went to be with his LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 28th, 2026.  Ronald, or Ron as he was known by most of his family and friends, was called Grandpa by those who loved him most, and often affectionately known as G-Pa to his great-grandchildren. He was Uncle Ron to many, James to some, and to his comrades at the Veterans Association, he was known and respected as Mr. Combs.

Ron's story began on March 24, 1949 when he was born to James Walter and Ruth Jean Combs in Little Rock, Arkansas. His family soon relocated to California, settling in the Bay Area, where his father was an auto-mechanic. Ron grew up going to church, spending time in Clearlake visiting his grandparents, and having a shared a passion for motorcycles with his brother Gary, and his mom and dad, who were members of a motorcycle club. Ron had a lifelong passion for music; he loved singing and playing his guitar and would often have an adoring audience (of one—his little sister, Valerie) to sing along. While in high school, Ron excelled in electronics and impressed his family by building a fully functioning light-up electronic chess board. According to Ron, he was never the "cool kid", but that didn't keep him from making an impression on classmates by zooming past on his black "Police Special" Harley Davidson.

Ron graduated from Del Valle High School in 1967 and entered active service with the U.S. Navy in February of 1968, answering the call of duty at the height of the Vietnam War. Within six months, he was promoted to Aviation Machinist's Mate (Naval Aviation Mechanic) and Petty Officer Third Class (ADR3) with anti-submarine squadron VS-83 at NAS in Whidbey Island. On that flight line, his percision in keeping patrol planes flight-ready was necessary to see that his fellow sailors made it home safely. It was an assignment Ron did not take lightly. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable wartime service and held his time in the Navy in highest regard. He carried that quiet dedication and pride throughout his entire life. In his later years, visiting the VA, connecting with fellow veterans and sharing his simple faith remained a cornerstone of Ron's daily life. Making the trip to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight in 2023 was the trip of a lifetime and a dream come true for Ron. It was truly the capstone of his time in the Navy!

Ron attended Kilgore college and Amarillo college and was grateful for the opportunity. He approached every job throughout his life with integrity and humility. He worked for the City of Amarillo Traffic Engineering Department before finishing his career in Lubbock on the Texas Tech University campus as a bus driver. He was passionate about this role, affectionately calling the students "my friends", and referring to himself as an "ordained bus driver". He saw it as another opportunity to spread kindness and the love of Jesus. "Work as unto the Lord," was always his motto no matter the assignment. Any conversation with Ron inevitably lead to his love for the Lord and his deep devotion to his wife, Betty Ann. They met in 1979 and married March 21, 1980. Together they loved serving at Lake Meredith Baptist Mission, a small church they helped start and build. A true jack-of-all-trades, Ron was incredibly talented with wood working and could build or fix anything Betty Ann could dream up. She wrangled him into countless projects, from crafting standing mirrors, frames, and pinecone wreaths to even a bit of sewing. Ron also happily helped cook and clean; he served and loved her well.

When Ron married Betty Ann, he got a package deal complete with two teenage daughters…Carmen Marie and Carrie Sue. Never did he introduce them as anyone other than "my daughters." And he was proud to do so. In 1986, both daughters married and he loved his new "sons" very much. However, nothing compared to the joy of becoming a grandfather when Tres and Carrie welcomed Tanner James, and three months later when Jerry and Carmen welcomed Jacob Gage! He was now

GRANDPA!!! Grandpa Ron held every one of his grandchildren as soon as possible after they were born and prayed for them every day. In the 20+ years following the loss of his beloved Betty Ann in 2003, Grandpa Ron became a true prayer warrior. He considered it his greatest privilege and highest calling to pray for his children, grands, greats, extended family, friends, and strangers. He called himself a "prayer warrior" and indeed he was.

To Grandpa Ron, his family grew to 15 grandchildren because the moment each of his grands brought their significant other into the family, he considered them his own.

Grandpa loved attending, and rarely missed, Lubbock Titan Homeschool Basketball games, LCU Lady Chap games, and WBU Flying Queens games. And he made it his mission to make it to at least one University of Dallas Crusaders game—the experience became one of his favorite memories. He was his grandkids "number one fan!" (and they were his). And not just in basketball…he was forever bragging about them all...to everyone; he called them "my heroes". Grandpa loved visiting his Colorado kids and particularly driving through the mountains with his grandson. He was in awe of the beauty and loved the one-on-one time and it became another of his cherished memories. One-on-one time was Grandpa's favorite thing and he had regular coffee dates with his granddaughters, which was the highlight of his week. But nothing ever topped the joy of his grandchildren having kids and making him a great-grandpa!  He adored them all—every one.

While being Grandpa was his favorite role, Ron also very much loved going to church (he attended Southcrest Baptist), singing in the choir, visiting the VA, writing (we still have a novel to edit!), driving, cooking, working with his hands, and making his house a home. Ron's trips to California to reunite with family and old friends also brought him great joy.

Indeed, Ron loved his life and his family! His relationship with Jesus, however, was the most important thing of all and he was quick to make that known.  And he finally got to "go home!" He leaves a big hole and will be greatly missed, but he knew where he was headed…praise the Lord!

Fair winds and following seas, Sailor.

Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty Ann (Auld) Combs; his parents, James and Ruth Combs; his parents-in-law, whom he loved as his own, Alvin and Irene Auld.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Carmen and Jerry Laird of Colorado Springs, and Carrie and Tres Bruffey of Lubbock.  He is also survived by his older brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Christine Combs of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; his little sister and brother-in-law, Valerie and Richard Keating of Woodland, California; as well as a large network of nieces and nephews.

Ron leaves behind a rich legacy through his fifteen grandchildren, whom he loved and claimed entirely as his own, Tanner James and Courtney Bruffey of Lubbock, TX, Jacob Gage (Jake) and Caitlin Laird of Colorado Springs, CO, Claire Elizabeth and Rudy Rodriguez of Lubbock, TX, Elizabeth Delaney (Edie) Laird and Tom Shillingford of Colorado Springs, CO, Tess Olivia and Zach Michaels of Lubbock, TX, William Archer and Corrie Bruffey of Lubbock, TX, Samuel Elijah (Sam) Laird of Colorado Springs, CO,

Ellen Marie (Ellie) and Dillon Lindsey of Lubbock, TX. His great-grandchildren were the pride and joy of his later years: Elijah Asher Laird, Judah Benjamin Laird, Charlie Elizabeth Bruffey, Lincoln Walter Laird, Emerson Grace (Emmy) Bruffey, Haddie James Bruffey, Andi Marie Bruffey, Hudson Bear Bruffey, Alexandra Olivia (Alex) Bruffey and Opal Lindsey (arriving January 2027).

In lieu of flowers you can donate to the Avant project below - a charity Ron has been supporting to give a Christian Middle Eastern High School student a Christian education

Link: https://avantministries.org/give

Project Name: Heidi's Education

Project ID#: 72024