Having known John Combs since I was a young boy in Valdez, for over 40 years, it is with a heavy heart that I share his passing this past Friday the 22nd.

A proud and deeply involved citizen of Palmer, he served four years on the city council and then six years as mayor, before stepping down in 2010.

A few years later, John was in a severe vehicle accident back in 2012, and complications from his injuries continued to plague him all the years since the accident – becoming more and more serious over time.

His surviving spouse Linda Combs wanted to share that after the accident John had a great deal of trouble with balance and had numerous nasty falls. That led to things like broken hips and the last 3 to 4 months he was unable to even use a walker, and had become dependent on the use of a wheelchair the very little amount of time he was not in bed. For a man who was so active, this suffering state was very difficult for John to bear. John was only 72 when he passed.

A memorial service is scheduled for this Friday, December 29, at 12:10 pm at St Michael’s Parish located at 432 E Fireweed in Palmer. Time constraints and deadlines prevented an obituary from being published in the paper before Friday.

Our thoughts and prayers go out on behalf of Linda and her family as they bid John farewell and begin the process of grieving. Please feel free to attend the service at St Michael’s this Friday and pay your respects. The Combs family is large and has had a hugely positive impact on Palmer, the Mat-Su Valley, and our state.