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Ray Hobert "Toby" COMBS

1957 - 2023

Ray Hobert "Toby" COMBS obituary, 1957-2023, Airway Heights, WA

BORN

1957

DIED

2023

Ray COMBS Obituary

Ray "Toby" Hobert Combs died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday September 21, 2023, at 66 years old. He was born February 26th, 1957 in Everett, WA. Toby resided in Medical Lake with his wife, Gail, and their dog, Wookie.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Gail Combs of 34 years, his son, Austin Combs; daughter-in-law, Nicole Combs; granddaughter, Rosabeth Fuqua; son, Nathan Maher; daughter-in-law, Dianne Maher; son, Andy Maher; mother, Rosemary Combs; sister, Carla Hembach; brother, Roy Combs; and sister, Danielle Lane.

Toby impacted everyone around him and was always willing to give a helping hand to friends and family alike. He mentored and taught hundreds of volunteer firefighters as a former firefighter and then as the Fire Chief of Airway Heights Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years.

He also worked as an EMT at AMR for 32 years.

Toby's passion aside from family was cars. He worked at Sunset Body Shop with his dad and brothers; which included building and racing stock cars and Camaros.

Toby never passed up an opportunity to re-tell stories from his racing, Fire, and EMS days or what his next car project or purchase was.

Later in life, Toby was a very active member of the Pontiac Car Club and the Matadors Car Club.

If you did not find Toby at a car show or swap meet you could find him cruising through town in their 1964 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 with Gail and/or Rosabeth, working in his shop or using his New Holland tractor.

A viewing will be held at Spokane Crematorium, on October 7th between Noon and 2:00. A Memorial Service will be held on October 8th beginning at Noon at the Shriners Event Center.

All those are welcome that would like to celebrate and remember Toby.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Oct. 1, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray COMBS

Not sure what to say?





Dave White

March 29, 2024

I just heard of Toby´s passing and send my condolences to Gail and the family. I met Toby at the Sunset Body Shop with his father, Shorty, when they did a minor repair on one of my first cars. Everyone who lived and intermingled in Airway Heights back in the Seventies met Toby at one place or another and I always enjoyed the opportunity to chat with him. I last saw him and Gail at a memorial for one of the Maher family out at Deep Creek. It was always a pleasure to meet at talk with both Toby and Gail over the fifty plus years that I have known them. I am saddened at his passing.
Dave White

Angel and Don Brown

October 11, 2023

My husband and I meet Toby at a car show when our cars got staged next to each other. you couldn´t help but like him , he was so friendly he made you feel like you knew him your whole life. It seemed like we keep getting staged next to him at the shows almost every time that year then one show He invited us to join his beloved Pontiac car club, He was always so kind to give me ideas for my car. We will never forget Toby and thank him for his kindness and friendship.
Angel and Don Brown

Nora Eichorst

October 8, 2023

RIP Toby.

Missey

October 7, 2023

Always knew how to have fun and help you take yourself a little less seriously. Welcomed a small Sr. Airman from Texas as a member of his fire department and then welcomed that same young lady to his family as his sister n law. Toby, I learned from you. You left a big hole in our lives and will be greatly missed.

Ronald H. Flick

October 4, 2023

I will miss you. I only can say Look out Tommy here comes Toby. you are in a better places with the LORD

Carla

October 3, 2023

Carla

October 3, 2023

Carla

October 3, 2023

Carla

October 3, 2023

Gonna miss you!

Love you big brother
Carla

Jimmy Sansom

October 1, 2023

I haven't seen Toby since 1975. He was a great friend. Toby, myself and Ed Boyd would hang out together. Toby would get his dad's truck and take us to school in Cheney. All of us lived in Airway Heights. I was able to talk to Toby several years ago. He said next time I was in Airway Heights we would go out and have a beer. I have great memories of him and he will be missed. RIP Toby. Thanks for the memories.
Jimmy Sansom

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results

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Memorial Events
for Ray COMBS

Oct

7

Viewing

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Spokane Crematorium

WA

Oct

8

Memorial service

12:00 p.m.

Shriners Event Center

WA

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