Johnny D. Combs

1959 - 2021

Johnny D. Combs

With a servant's heart and a tireless work ethic, Johnny spent his life trying to advance God's Kingdom here on earth. Johnny Doyle Combs passed away on May 3, 2021 at the age of 61.

Johnny was born in Sweetwater, Texas to Doyle and Glenda Combs on December 31st, 1959. The son of a pastor, he had the opportunity to explore much of Texas throughout his childhood and youth. Johnny attended Texas A&M University where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1982. This is also where he met the love of his life, Karen Ringhoffer in the now "infamous" pick-up basketball game. They were married on August 8th, 1981 and decided to start their family immediately. Johnny first went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers but then transitioned to become a civilian in the Air Force where he became the National Expert for Storm Water. Though he was an engineer by trade, he was an entrepreneur by heart, so he and Karen soon launched their own business in 1994. For the last 27 years they have run businesses, started a non-profit that helped thousands of people through Business as Mission, and built relationships across the globe. His heart was to help as many people as possible and change the world; those are not modest goals, but Johnny never had a dream that he thought was "too big". In 2013, Johnny and Karen launched New Hope Energy which pioneered a key technology that keeps plastic out of the ocean and puts it back to work in the economy. This mission carries on with the vision that he provided.

Johnny's favorite past times were helping people, researching ancestry, doting on his children and grandbabies, and flirting with Karen. He didn't like hot coffee, getting wet, and sand between his toes.

Johnny is preceded in death by his mother, Glenda. Johnny is survived by his wife, Karen; his children, Amy, Rusty, and Gary and their spouses; 11 grandchildren; his father, Doyle; sisters, Brenda, Cathy, and Sherri; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorials may be given at Sojournchurch.org/give/. Please list "Johnny Combs" under Special Giving, all funds will be directed towards international missions efforts that were dear to his heart.