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JOHN COMBS Obituary

John Edward Combs Died January 5, 2018 at the age of 61. Born in Seattle, Washington to Jerry and Lois Combs, John was the middle of three children. John attended high school at Clover Park in Lakewood, where he was a track and football star. He accepted a scholarship to play football for the University of Washington and graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1978. He then went on to earn a law degree from Willamette University. Practicing for over 30 years in the Tacoma area, John had a reputation as a zealous advocate and fearless negotiator. In his free time, John was a voracious reader, devouring everything from a James Patterson novel to a Dostoevsky epic. A dog-lover, his golden retriever, Bugs, never left his side. In the spring and summer, you could find John, a longtime member of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club, on the golf course. On Fall Saturdays, you could find him at Husky Stadium with his son, Lucas, watching Husky Football. He is survived by his son, Lucas, mother, Lois, brother, Jay, and sister, Mary. Remembrances may be made to Tacoma Humane Society. Please sign online guestbook www.tuellmckee.com. Arrangements by Tuell-McKee Funeral Home, 253-272-1414.

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Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Jan. 10, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN COMBS

Sponsored by Tuell-McKee Funeral Home - Tacoma Funeral Home.

24 Entries

Steve Valentinetti

March 10, 2018

Steve Valentinetti John attended the 20 year reunion at the Country Club. We stayed in contact through his successful attorney firm. John was a great athlete and person. He played football for the UW and then transferred to UPS as the UW team was very political during his time there. Players that were substandard to John's abilities went on to play in the NFL. I lost contact with JC in about 2007 then he reluctantly reconnected in 2015 to find he had cancer and didn't want anyone to know or see him. I told him I didn't care what he looked like as I might have been one of the only ones that didn't have a crush on him. His health due to the cancer was very poor but we had some good steaks, a couple beers and some great laughs and memories this last summer (2017). We talked about Lochburn / Clover Park football and track, UW and UPS and all the people we went to school with. John was very smart, remembered and spoke of all of you from Dower to current day. I heard stories about our classmates that I had never heard before. JC was very emotional both in sports and with his friends. He was the same person, just older. JC had a great attitude in life and about his friends. He will be greatly missed by many.

Ted Durham

February 6, 2018

John was always a good friend. Grew up with him from an early age. Will miss the opportunity to see him again on this earth. God bless you John, and your family you leave here. Till we meet again my friend.

Terri Barrett-McGrath

January 23, 2018

I knew John from Jr. High on. So sorry to hear he passed. All us girls had a crush on John. When I dated Kurt Bower (one of his best friends) I got to know him better. He was a very humble man--yes he will missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

Patrick Leahy

January 18, 2018

John was a great person besides being an excellent attorney.

Paula Carenbauer

January 16, 2018

Prayers to his family at this difficult time. ..

David Dahn

January 15, 2018

May God's Grace and Love fill John's family with strength to weather the loss of his presence. John was the friend "we all looked up to". He was filled with patience and understanding for anyone he encountered. Always had a kind word to share and a positive attitude to lend. He, without a doubt, reflected the age old saying "Only the good die young". You passed "far too young" John, may you Rest gently in our Creators' arms.

Travis Lauricella

January 15, 2018

For a couple of years in the mid-90s, I interned for John (and Don) while finishing law school and studying for the bar. John gave me my first view of true zealous advocacy and a strong distaste for insurance adjusters. The demand letters I drafted on his behalf were among the first real-world legal writings I did. He took a chance on me, and in return, I learned much about the nuts and bolts of personal injury law from him.

I don't think anyone ever knew, but John did a huge favor for me as my summer 1996 bar exam date approached. Chatting in the office overlooking the bay, he asked me "so where are you staying during the test?" I conceded that I'd planned on commuting from Tacoma to Bellevue all three days; with a new child and still in school, I couldn't afford a hotel room. "No," he said. "You need to stay up there," and wrote me a check on the spot to over my hotel costs. That act of kindness made this challenging moment in my life considerably easier.

Mandy Candler

January 15, 2018

Dear Lois and family,
My sincerest condolences on John's passing. He was a good friend during high school and college, and it was always great to see him. He was such a kind person, and very unassuming about his intellectual and athletic talents.

Our CP '73 and '74 family would like to honor him at some point in the near future; if you do hold an open celebration of life, we will attend.

Holding you in my thoughts,
Mandy Imholt Candler

Steve Wilson

January 15, 2018

I was shocked and saddened to learn of John's passing. We first met in 7th grade at Lockburn Jr High and went on to become track teammates and good friends.

I ran into John regularly at Husky football games where he'd share his frustrations with the play calling etc. He told me he used to called the coaches and offer his "suggestions" to improve the team! A very passionate Husky fan and I'm sure equally passionate attorney,father and friend.

I'll miss John's sense of humor and engaging smile.

Rest in peace my friend.

Buddy Bear

January 14, 2018

I am sorry for the loss of John. I will remember John as one of the many stars we had at Clover Park HS. I was glad to be one of his teammates. I will remember him for his kindness and sense of humor. ~Buddy Bear

Meg O Harrison

January 14, 2018

Miss you~

Meg Owens-Harrison

January 14, 2018

I was so sad to learn of John's passing. We had become very good friends in the last couple of years. He was an intelligent, fierce, loving human being who cared deeply about his family, friends and justice. I miss our 6 hour debates - boy, he liked to rile you up! John was one of a kind and I hope he is playing golf with his Dad somewhere right now. See you on the other side my dear friend
Meg O Harrison

Elmer Elegado

January 13, 2018

Such a down to earth and engaging human being since our Jr high days - considering his popularity and accomplishments. I remember John telling me he would have flunked math were it not for me - a humble statement from a very intelligent person. I am truly saddened even though we have not been in touch for many years. My heart goes out to John's family. . .

January 11, 2018

So sorry to hear of John's passing. I used to see him at many Dogs Games. Great athlete & wonderful human being. He is going to be missed by the Clover Park family. Rest in peace my friend. Scott Parrott

Jennie Tubig-Gacek

January 11, 2018

Sincere hugs and comforting prayers to John's family. Rest in peace to a person I greatly admired both @ Lochburn Jr. High & Clover Park High School.

Heidi Ferguson & John Ferguson

January 10, 2018

So sorry to hear of Johns passing. My parents, John and Lee Ferguson were close friends when us kids were growing up. They would take us kids out to Rocky Bay during the summer months. Very fond memories of those times. Mom has passed, but Dad and I send our hearts and prayers to the family. RIP John

George Ratcliffe

January 10, 2018

John Combs: Athlete and Scholar!!! Never had a bad word to say about anyone. Helped anyone he could to get better at whatever they were trying to succeed in. Saw him once at the county city bldg. We talked and then said we should get together sometime. WISH I HAD!!! Truly a GENTLEMAN and a SCHOLAR. This world suffers with the loss of such GREAT men.
RIP

Don Winskill

January 10, 2018

John and I practiced law together for 10 years on Ruston Way, along the Tacoma waterfront. We couldn't believe our luck in finding such a beautiful location. We would sit out on the deck in front of our offices having coffee in the mornings and lunch in the afternoons. One sunny day we even chartered a seaplane to land next door at the Lobster Shop to fly us to the San Juans for lunch. We flew to Friday Harbor and then to Roche Harbor and back. We became fast friends and remained so till the end. John was a dedicated personal injury lawyer and a tenacious negotiator. I chuckle when I think of him slamming down the phone after taking a hard line with some insurance adjuster, holding tough even when he knew the case could not go to trial. We had to replace more than one broken phone back then. Our practices complemented each other and John, I and our assistant Lissa became quite the team. When his son, Lucas, decided to attend law school John was so proud. Lucas was with his father in the hospital hour after hour, day after day. What a fine young man you are. He loved you so much, Lucas. John was a great guy and it's hard to think of him gone. Go find your dad John, and hug each other. I love you buddy.

Paula Dougherty

January 10, 2018

So sorry to see this announcement.
John was always such a standout at CP, so accomplished. I saw him once when I was on jury duty - he had a lot if enthusiasm for his law career.

Mindy Ristine Block

January 10, 2018

I was sorry to hear about John's passing. I have so many fond memories of John from high school. My thoughts and prayers are with John's family

courtesy of Mark Madland (UPS:CWU 1977)

Dan & Kim Moore

January 10, 2018

John was a standout football player at UPS, a successful attorney, the father and husband to two really amazing people and his fellow players, colleagues and friends will miss him dearly. RIP JC

John Odom

January 10, 2018

My sincere condolences on the loss of a very old friend. John is in my thoughts and prayers.

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