Rev. Dr. James O. Combs

Rev. Dr. James O. Combs

James O'Brien Combs was born in Lubbock, Texas on October 6, 1927 to Jack Wiley Combs and Arah Moore Combs of Lubbock. He grew up in Mexia, Texas. Combs was licensed to preach at 15 years old on October 6, 1943, and ordained by the Huisache Ave Baptist Church in San Antonio on July 14, 1944. He was a major in the ROTC when he graduated from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio as salutatorian. He married Geraldine Marion Marquis (Jeri) on May 27, 1952 in Kansas City, Kansas. She was the love of his life. Combs served as a Baptist minister for nearly 70 years. He died on May 27, 2013, his 61st wedding anniversary, at home with his family.

Combs was blessed with extraordinary energy and intellect. He graduated from Kansas City Bible College in 1952. He was a student pastor while attending Bible Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. While there, he was one of the founders of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International. Combs suggested the name of the Baptist Bible College and was one of its founders. His first full-time pastorate was in 1951 in Joplin, Missouri. He then spent 30 years ministering in California, particularly instrumental in establishing the BBF in California during the 50's, 60's and 70's. While serving as pastor for Olivet Baptist Church in Lynwood, California he started 17 churches in 17 years. He earned a Master of Arts from California Baptist Theological Seminary. Later he served as Pastor for First Baptist Church of Costa Mesa, California. During this time he taught at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas and Christian Heritage College in Anaheim. He was the author of "See the Scriptures" a pioneering computerized visualization of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. He was in demand as a conference speaker and frequent guest on radio and television. Then at the request of an ad hoc committee, he ran for the United States Congress in 1976, winning the nomination of a major political party in California's 38th Congressional District. During the campaign, Combs and his wife Jeri were guests of President Gerald Ford at the White House.

In 1982 he became editor of the Baptist Bible Tribune in Springfield, Missouri. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from Louisiana Baptist University, Shreveport Louisiana, in 1985 and received an honorary Doctor of Literature in 1986 from Liberty University, Lynchburg Virginia. Retiring from the Tribune in 1995, he became the editor -in-chief of the National Liberty Journal, serving 18 months. He was author or editor of several books:

Mysteries of the Book of Daniel, Rainbows from Revelation, Mysteries of the Bible Now Revealed, Ten Tremendous Truths, Our Biblical Baptist Heritage, and The ABC's of Life Success. He co-authored Search the Scriptures for Yourself with his wife, Jeri. He was an editor of the Tim LaHaye Prophecy Bible.

Combs had a lifelong passion for training and discipling men and women for ministry. His remarkable skills multiplied the effectiveness of the Church and advanced the work of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. He served as Provost and Distinguished Professor of Eschatology at Louisiana Baptist University from 1989, and Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary, which he founded. His enthusiasm, advice and spiritual guidance were an inspiration. He received a lifetime achievement award from LBU in 2003, and was Lifetime Provost Emeritus since 2012. Combs was the Tribune's Man of the Year in 2012.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine who resides in Springfield, Missouri, and their daughter Charis Combs-Lay of Oelwein Iowa, his son-in-law Leo Combs-Lay and his grandsons James and Steven: and by Lee and Gerd Fredrickson, best friends of the family and their children Anna (Fredrickson) Saliba and her husband Jonathan of Bogota, Columbia, Ingrid (Fredrickson) Shores and her husband Cody of Springfield, and Karl Fredrickson of Plano, Texas. He was a loving and involved grandfather. He loved classic cars, Star Wars, the oceans and the desert. We remember him as a man who lived out his deep Christian faith every day in grace, humor and genuine humility. He will be missed by all who were blessed to know him. His record of service, loyalty and devotion to the cause of Christ were in keeping with the highest tradition of the Gospel ministry.

Funeral services will be held at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, 3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO 65809, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior beginning at 12:00 p.m., noon. Online condolences can be left at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North.