Obituary of John M. Combs

Chattanooga, TN and formerly of Binghamton: John Combs died on November 17, 2014 after an extended illness. He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Dody Combs; paternal grandparents, Frank and Margaret Combs; maternal grandparents, Leroy and Catherine Gorman; and aunt and uncle, Joyce and Joseph Campon. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 32 years, Karin Kenville Combs; sisters, Mary (Gary) Desimone, Anne (Chris) Lane, Nancy Combs; and brother, Thomas (Christine) Combs; cousins, Michael (Rhonda) Campon, Christine (Dan) Ross, Carol Burnard, and Philip Campon; in-laws, William and Violet Kenville, William (Victoria) Kenville, Mark (Kathleen) Kenville, and Kristeen (Michael) Hickey; also nieces and nephews, Jim (Kate) Desimone, Katie Desimone, Sarah (Nick) Liebenrood, Christopher Lane II, Colette Clark, Abigail Combs, Lily Combs, Shane (Emily) Johnson, Faith Kenville, Ryan Kenville, Patrick Kenville, Maura (Grazi) Zazzara, Clare Kenville, Kelly (Matt) Lilly, Michael (Beth) Hickey, Jr., Sean Hickey, Shannon Hickey, Kate Hickey; and eight great nieces and nephews. John graduated from Binghamton Central High School, Broome Community College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Syracuse University. After college, John was employed at Delta Engineers for 13 years, then moved to Durham, NC where he worked for Horvath Associates Civil Engineers for six years in the Durham office becoming partner, then moved to Chattanooga, TN where he ran the Chattanooga office for Horvath Associates until his death. John held professional engineering licenses in several states. John enjoyed all things relative to food and drink, became an accomplished home brewer of beer, and enjoyed annual visits with Karin to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. John enjoyed playing golf, but then discovered boating after the move to Chattanooga, and spent nearly every weekend on the lake with the "boat people." However John's greatest passion was lacrosse, which he played well into his 50s until five broken ribs forced his retirement. He played with the Binghamton Salukis and the Philadelphia Eagles/Gray Eagles in Binghamton, Ft. Lauderdale, and Lake Placid tournaments. Forced to become a spectator, he enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews continue the tradition of the game he loved. We would like to thank all our friends and family for supporting us through this journey. Your support, thoughts and prayers have been very much appreciated. Special thanks go out to Dr. Davey Daniel and all the staff at TN Oncology, Chattanooga, especially the treatment room nurses who are incredibly special people. John enjoyed being your "Cookie Monster." And thank you to Hospice of Chattanooga for guidance through the final days. A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Vestal Avenue, Binghamton Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Sunday from 3-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, 13 Beech Street, Johnson City, NY 13790 or a Hope Lodge or a youth lacrosse association