Brian David Combs left this earth to meet his Lord on January 29, 2024, in the comfort of the Fort Meade VA Medical Center, surrounded by his wife and family. He was exceptionally cared for there and we give our deepest gratitude to them. Thank you for respecting his will and providing him comfort.
Brian was born on April 30, 1973, at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany. He was born to Gerald and Karen (Evenson) Combs. In the later part of 1973, he was baptized at the Air Force Base Chapel. The Air Force took him to many places during his childhood. He spent his younger years with his family first in Germany. In 1975, they went to Aviano, Italy, where everyone loved his blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and infectious laugh. They then moved to Colorado in November of 1976, which he loved. Next, and lastly, they moved to
Battle Lake, Minnesota in 1982 for them to be near family. He was confirmed in Battle Lake in 1988 at Trefoldighed Lutheran Church.
He attended Battle Lake School and graduated in 1991. He went to college for broadcasting and received his degree in 1993 from Brown Institute. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Dixon Travis, October 11, 1997. They met at the Mall of America when she worked at Camp Snoopy, and he was folding shirts for American Eagle. He started his Air Force career on June 9, 1999. And shortly after had his daughter Brynn in December of 1999. He moved his family to Arkansas where Belinda and Bridget were blessed to him in April of 2003 and July of 2005. He went to Sheppard Air Force Base in
Wichita Falls, Texas for 7 years before his final base Ellsworth in Box Elder, South Dakota. In all, he gave the United States Air Force 20 years of his life before retirement in September of 2019.
He loved classic cars and rock music, especially RUSH. His collection of National Geographic magazines could fill a library. He enjoyed his Lego sets, especially Star Wars ships. The Millenium Falcon was his pride and joy, he never let anyone else touch it. His favorite game website was POGO, which included other games such as solitaire, sudoku, and mahjong garden. His old computer has his handprint burned into it due to all the time spent playing (yes, he used his resources to earn all those badges.) His kitty cat, Figaro, was adopted after his first cancer diagnosis (2014). They were inseparable. The mini beers tours were a favorite at Old Chicago, he was always trying new craft beers to earn points and win prizes.
He joins his father Gerald in heaven. Survivors include his wife, Betsy; daughters, Brynn, Belinda, and Bridget; mother, Karen; brother, Dan; sister and brother-in-law, Deb (Combs) and Jeff Stoen; beloved nieces and nephews, Zac Long, Tori (Chris), Benjamin (Nora), Theo (Kaytlin), Libby and Emma Travis, daughters of brother-in-law, Henry Travis (Paula); father and mother-in-law, Don and Sue Travis.
A visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. will be held at South Canyon Baptist Church, Rapid City, SD, on Monday, February 5th.
Please join us for the service being held for Brian on Tuesday, February 6th at 10:00 a.m., the location is South Canyon Baptist Church, 3333 W Chicago, Rapid City. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30pm.
In lieu of flowers or gifts to family, we would be honored if donations were made to Africa New Life Ministries. Click on the link to view service folder