El Sobrante resident, John Peña Coombs Sr. (Jack) passed away peacefully in Pinole Aug. 18, 2011. Born in Richmond Dec. 1, 1919, John was a devoted family man and worked for 40 years for Standard Oil Co. in Richmond. He enjoyed photography, golf and the great outdoors, especially fishing. During WW II, he proudly served with the Army in the Pacific and later served in the Navy Reserves doing aerial photography for a number of years. He was very proud of his early California Spanish heritage and often related stories of his visits to the Peña families of Vacaville.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Ernestine (Janine) Coombs of Pinole; beloved daughter, Darlene Coombs-Stewart (Alvin) of Vacaville; as well as loving sons, Daniel Merkel of Santa Barbara, David Merkel of El Sobrante and Richard Merkel of Hamilton Montana; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear sisters-in-law, Mercedes Coombs of Richmond and Georgia Coombs of Carrollton Texas and 8 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose Peña and Leonard Steinmetz Coombs Sr. as well as brothers, Harold B. Coombs, Leonard S. Coombs Jr., sister Marguerite V. Coombs and son John Peña Coombs Jr. (Abraham Coombs). He was also preceded in death by granddaughters, Kathleen Ann Coombs and Julie Marie Burriesci.
Friends and family are invited to attend services on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 12 p.m., Holy Angels: Saint Joseph's Cemetery in San Pablo, Calif. Inurnment with full Military Honors will take place on Wednesday, Sept 28, at 11 a.m., Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.
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