It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of another member of the Greatest Generation. John Vernon Combs, 89 years of age, of North Platte, NE, passed away with his family by his side on Monday, April 13, 2015, at Linden Court in North Platte.
Vernon was born to Archie and Beama Combs on August 28, 1925, at home in Hershey, NE. From 1941-1944, he attended Sutherland High School where he met Vera Dillin. They were married October 5, 1944, in Riverside, CA, one month before Vernon left for the war. Vernon served with the 5th Marine Corps, 28th Division and was in the 15th wave to hit the beach on Iwo Jima. He was present when the flag was raised on Mount Suribachi. On March 12, 1945, he miraculously survived a gunshot wound and returned home to Vera as he had promised.
Vernon and Vera lived in North Platte with their three children, Lynette, Steven and Kevin. Vernon was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, making wonderful memories through the years with his family.
Vernon worked for the railroad for seven years before becoming a feed salesman for Standard Chemical Feed Company. He enjoyed working with the farmers in the Cozad area and retired in 1990 after 27 years of service.
Vernon was the Nebraska State Director for the National Pony Express Association from 1980-1990 and received the Trail Boss Award at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in 1999 at the age of 73.
Vernon was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was instrumental in overseeing and building the first chapel at S. Jefferson and C Street in 1958. After retiring, he and Vera served an 18 month mission for the church in London, England.
Vernon is survived by Vera, his wife of 70 years, of North Platte; three children, Lynette (Larry) Young, of Ventura, CA, Steven (Valerie) Combs, of Scottsbluff, NE, and Kevin (Cindy) Combs, of Centennial, CO; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ned and Jerry Combs of Salt Lake City, UT; and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Beama Comb; his sister, Ada McConnell; and grandson, Shane Young.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Dan Hitch conducting. Burial with military honors will follow in Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday with family greeting friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Brite Blue Foundation (briteblue.org). Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.