Roger Bradley McCombs

Roger Bradley "Brad" McCombs April 20, 1953 – May 10, 2025 Brad McCombs-a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, and faithful servant to both family and community-passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025, surrounded by those who loved him. He was 72.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, on April 20, 1953, to Roger and Nita McCombs, Brad was known simply as "Brad" from the start-a name he wore with quiet pride and a warm smile. Though officially Roger Bradley McCombs, only the DMV ever used all three names.
Brad had a deep and lifelong passion for the natural world. He found his greatest peace under the canopy of trees, whether hiking the wooded trails of Gatlinburg, soaking up the calm at the house on Nolin Lake, or laughing with his siblings along the sandy banks of Colorado's Platte River. His greenhouse was his personal sanctuary, where he nurtured plants with the same care he gave to people. Sometimes, he'd just sit under a canopy of trees and reflect-though he'd likely call it "resting his eyes." For Brad, nature wasn't just a backdrop to life-it was a sacred space where he felt closest to God.
Brad lived a life of quiet generosity, the kind that didn't seek credit or applause. He was the guy who showed up before you even finished saying, "I think something's broken." Whether it was a leaky roof, a stubborn faucet, or a neighbor's car that made a "funny noise," Brad brought his tools, his patience, and a good-natured grin. He fixed things. He helped people. And he made it look easy.
He was a man of deep, steady faith. Brad believed in doing the right thing, often without saying a word about it. His legacy is etched not just in the homes he repaired or the projects he tackled, but in the lives he touched-with his gentle spirit, his expert hands, and a heart that was always open.
Brad was a loving father to his three children: Brad McCombs, Jr., wife Mary Beth; Brian McCombs, wife Joy; and Beth McCombs. He was a proud grandfather to Liam, Luke, Owen, Max, and Rory-each of whom has a bit of his love for nature, tools, and a bit of mischief.
Brad is also survived by his wife, Maria, with whom he shared the later chapters of his life. Through Maria, he gained a second family, filled with love and lively conversation: Lizardo, wife Gabriela; Daimar, husband Jhan; Asiari, husband Denys; Danny, and Angel; along with grandchildren Emmanuel, Abby, Matthew, Angel, Joel, and Maria-who brought him joy and plenty of reasons to smile.
He is also survived by his five siblings: Margaret McCombs; Dr. John McCombs; Mary McCombs Richards; David McCombs, wife Billie; and Anne McCombs, husband Edward -who shared his memories, and a deep bond rooted in years of stories, moving across the US and shared roots from the "Coldiron" farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
Brad was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Nita McCombs, and his former wife, Shirley.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date for family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Arbor Day Foundation, in honor of Brad's lifelong commitment to nurturing the world around him.
Roger Bradley "Brad" McCombs 20 de abril de 1953 – 10 de mayo de 2025
Brad McCombs-esposo amoroso, orgulloso padre y abuelo, y fiel servidor de su familia y comunidad-falleció pacíficamente el 10 de mayo de 2025, rodeado de quienes lo amaban. Tenía 72 años.
Nacido en Dayton, Ohio, el 20 de abril de 1953, hijo de Roger y Nita McCombs, Brad fue conocido simplemente como "Brad" desde el principio-un nombre que llevaba con un orgullo sereno y una sonrisa cálida. Aunque su nombre completo era Roger Bradley McCombs, solo el DMV usaba los tres nombres.
Brad sentía una profunda y duradera pasión por el mundo natural. Encontraba su mayor paz bajo el dosel de los árboles, ya fuera caminando por los senderos boscosos de Gatlinburg, disfrutando la tranquilidad en la casa del lago Nolin o riendo con sus hermanos en las orillas arenosas del río Platte en Colorado. Su invernadero era su santuario personal, donde cuidaba las plantas con el mismo esmero con el que trataba a las personas. A veces, simplemente se sentaba bajo los árboles a reflexionar-aunque probablemente diría que estaba "descansando los ojos." Para Brad, la naturaleza no era solo el telón de fondo de la vida, era un espacio sagrado donde se sentía más cerca de Dios.
Brad vivió una vida de generosidad silenciosa, del tipo que no busca crédito ni aplausos. Era el tipo de persona que aparecía antes de que terminaras de decir: "Creo que algo está roto." Ya fuera un techo con goteras, un grifo rebelde o el auto del vecino que hacía un "ruido raro," Brad traía sus herramientas, su paciencia y una sonrisa amable. Arreglaba cosas. Ayudaba a la gente. Y lo hacía parecer fácil.
Fue un hombre de fe profunda y constante. Brad creía en hacer lo correcto, a menudo sin decir una sola palabra. Su legado no se encuentra solo en los hogares que reparó o en los proyectos que emprendió, sino en las vidas que tocó-con su espíritu gentil, sus manos expertas y un corazón siempre abierto.
Brad fue un padre amoroso para sus tres hijos: Brad McCombs, Jr., esposa Mary Beth; Brian McCombs, esposa Joy; y Beth McCombs. Fue un orgulloso abuelo de Liam, Luke, Owen, Max y Rory-cada uno con un poco de su amor por la naturaleza, las herramientas y una pizca de travesura.
También le sobrevive su esposa, María, con quien compartió los capítulos finales de su vida. A través de María, ganó una segunda familia, llena de amor y conversaciones animadas: Lizardo, esposa Gabriela; Daimar, esposo Jhan; Asiari, esposo Denys; Danny y Ángel; junto con los nietos Emmanuel, Abby, Matthew, Ángel, Joel y María-quienes le trajeron alegría y muchas razones para sonreír.
También le sobreviven sus cinco hermanos: Margaret McCombs; Dr. John McCombs; Mary McCombs Richards; David McCombs, esposa Billie; y Anne McCombs, esposo Edward-quienes compartieron sus recuerdos y un lazo profundo arraigado en años de historias, mudanzas por Estados Unidos y raíces comunes en la granja "Coldiron" en Lexington, Kentucky.
Brad fue precedido en la muerte por sus padres, Roger y Nita McCombs, y su exesposa, Shirley.
La familia celebrará una ceremonia privada de vida en una fecha futura.
En lugar de flores, la familia pide que se hagan donaciones a la Fundación Nacional del Día del Árbol (National Arbor Day Foundation), en honor al compromiso de toda la vida de Brad con el cuidado del mundo que lo rodeaba. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Roger, please visit our Tree Store.