Joel Ray Combs, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and “Jobo” is resting in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joel passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2021, in Paris, Texas where his daughter Carla and her husband Don reside. He is reunited in eternity with his beloved wife of 66 years, Bobbye Carolyn “Mimi” Combs.
Services will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Pastor Dillon Hill, pastor at Faith Bible Church where Joel was a member, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery at McLean under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.
Family visitation will be from 5:30-7:00 PM Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.
Mr. Combs was born August 11, 1932, in Lefors, Texas to William Rasse “WR” and Ruby Mae Combs. Joel was a proud graduate of Lefors High School and he attended and played football for Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. He married Bobbye Carolyn Wariner on December 18, 1955.
He started his career in the publishing business at The Pampa News and later owned and published the newspaper in Slaton, Texas. After working for several years for Dale Carnegie he opened his own business, Developmental Training Services, where he served as owner and president. Forty years ago, his wife, Bobbye, fulfilled a lifelong dream and began publishing Focus Magazine. Joel proudly assumed the role of editor, and he represented Focus until Bobbye’s passing in July. The magazine represented the most positive voice in the Panhandle and highlighted the heritage and arts of the Top O’ Texas Region, winning numerous Golden Nail Awards from the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce. Focus Magazine was named “Pampa Business of the Year” for 2020 by the Pampa Chamber of Commerce. The legacy and rich tradition of the magazine will continue under new ownership, and we know both “Mimi” and “Jobo” would be proud to see their vision endure. Mr. Combs represented Gray County as a delegate to several Texas Republican Conventions and events. Joel also served as a Gideon where he loved to pass out Bibles to elementary school children, and he was a proud Gold Coat Ambassador for the Pampa Chamber of Commerce where he especially enjoyed participating in ribbon cutting ceremonies as they symbolized the growth and prosperity of the Pampa community which he loved so much.
Mr. Combs was preceded in death by his wife and lifelong sweetheart, Bobbye on July 7, 2021, and his parents, WR and Ruby Combs of Lefors; his brother and sister-in-law, Harold Combs, and his wife Emma of Levelland, Texas; his three sisters, Merle Rosser and her husband Woody of Houston, Bobbie Koscheski and her husband Wayne of Houston, and Billie Combs Jinx of Amarillo.
Survivors include his daughter, Carla Moffitt and her husband Don of Paris, Texas; his son, Bill Combs and wife Pam of Fort Worth; two grandsons, Matt Moffitt and wife Carlye of The Dalles, Oregon and Scott Moffitt of Paris, Texas; three great grandchildren, Macy Moffitt, Max Moffitt, and Mabrie Moffitt, all of Paris, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was fondly known as “Uncle Handsome.”
The family requests that donations be made to Faith Bible Church, P.O. Box 452, Pampa, TX 79065 or the Lefors Scholarship fund which can be made to the Opportunity Plan, Lefors ex-students fund, P.O. Box 1035, Canyon, Texas, 79015-1035.
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