Thomas Patrick Combs

Thomas Patrick "Pat" Combs of Dyersburg, TN, passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, November 21, 2025, surrounded by family in his home.

Pat was a devoted son, husband, dad, Grandpa, brother, uncle and friend to all. A lover of family and hard work, Pat was never at a loss for something to do. His joy for life would light up every room he entered. You knew that Pat was close by the sound of him whistling or humming. He was the calm to our chaotic family. He worked hard and loved harder throughout his life. He was a constant source of encouragement to everyone he met and had a way of making you smile even when you didn't want to. He had many "Patisms" that where shared with countless family members and friends, including the way he would answer his phone.

If there was a sporting event for his kids and later grandkids, he was going to be in attendance, cheering them on. In the 1981, he was a chaperone/scorekeeper for the Team USA – Salem, IL as they played in an international basketball tournament for high school basketball in Helsinki, Finland. His son Joe was a member of the team. The team got second place in the event. For more than twenty years he was an umpire for Little League baseball. His mantra, "hustle in, hustle out," was heard by many ball players.

A native of New Middletown, IN, Pat married his high school sweetheart, Loretta "Rette" Mehling, in 1957. The couple welcomed four children, John, Joni, Joe and Jina, who were affectionately known as the four "J's." They made their home in Jeffersonville, IN until 1976 when a job transfer moved the family to Salem, IL. In 1988, Pat was transferred again, along with his wife and youngest daughter, to Dyersburg, TN. Pat worked in the printing industry for 45 years before retiring. During his working years there were numerous family vacations all over the United States. There are great memories from each one of them. As the grandkids came along, they were there making those precious memories, as well. There were plenty of summer photos with the masterpiece sandcastles in the foreground of a group photo.

After retiring, he and Loretta transitioned to Florida living, first with a few months and then moving to Tropicana Park full-time. They made friends that were like family and Pat did what he liked to do best…work. The couple lived in Florida for twenty years before returning to Dyersburg.

Those dear to Mr. Combs that joined their heavenly Father before him where his wife, Loretta, to whom he was married to for 65 years, his parents, Leonard and Etta Mae Combs of New Middletown, IN, sister Helen Mae Backherms, brothers Leonard "Mic" Combs and Lawrence "Zeke" Combs, both of southern Indiana and many of his cherished friends. He is survived by his children, John Combs of Jackon, California, Joni Robinson (Reid) of Covington, GA, Joe Combs of St. Charles, MO and Jina Jeffries (Wade) of Dyersburg, TN, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor to St. Jude's, Salvation Army of Dyersburg or Life Choice of Dyersburg.