Albert Toombs

Albert Charles Toombs, 89, passed away on June 6 at home, with his family by his side. Albert was born in Placerville, California, on Feb. 9, 1925, to Albert and Suzanne Toombs. He was a part of the Greatest Generation that lived through the Great Depression and went on to fight in World War II. He was a corporal in the Army and a veteran of World War II, where he saw combat in Europe. He was shot twice before being captured and held as a POW for almost 10 months until the war ended in 1945. Albert received several medals for his service during World War II, which included a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He loved watching football on Sunday afternoons (especially his San Francisco 49ers) as well as gardening in the yard with his wife, Eva, fishing, and spending time with his family. Albert was a small-business owner in Carlsbad and Las Cruces, where he supplied bread and bakery goods to stores and restaurants for most of 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. He was known in Carlsbad and Las Cruces to many customers as the "Bread Man." He and his wife Eva were baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses in 1980, and served Jehovah faithfully to the end. Albert is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Eva Toombs, and his children, Benny, Darcy and his wife, Jackie, Bruce and his wife, Christina, Ricky, Falisha and her husband, Eric, and Tisha and Amanda. He also is survived by his two grandchildren, T.J. whom he called his "lil buddy" and his granddaughter, Alyssa. He also has one great-granddaughter, Zeniah. He will be dearly missed by his family and will forever be in our hearts. His funeral will be Monday, June 16, at Fort Bliss National Cemetery and will be attended by immediate family only.