Roger Elmer Mccombs

Roger Elmer McCombs, 98, joined his beloved wife Nita Jean Coldiron McCombs in her heavenly home on January 14, 2025, having recently been a resident of Thomson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Roger was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 29, 1926 to the late Sherman and Gertrude Schymos McCombs.  He entered the United States Navy in July of 1944, where served in the Philippines for 2 years as an Electronic Technician’s Mate during WWII.  While working and attending university, Roger served in the Navy Reserves for 9 and 1/2 years and earned his Lt JG commission.  After his graduate studies at the Missouri School of Mines and Colorado School of Mines, Roger worked as an Aerospace Engineer for nearly 40 years all across the United States, including for companies like Boeing Defense and Space Group, Boeing Aerospace Operations, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Bell Aerosystems, Westinghouse Electric, and actually worked on the Hubble Telescope and the Space Station with NASA.  Roger had many interests outside of his work, too.  He loved being outdoors, especially to pursue gardening and his interest in cars.  He loved his dachshund Opey and in recent years liked solving Word Find puzzles.  He was active in his church, Madison Baptist Church while living in Alabama, and dearest to his heart was helping his children and grandchildren.  Roger was a loving father to his six children:  Margaret Ellen McCombs, Dr. John Corbett McCombs, Roger Bradley McCombs, wife Maria, Mary E. McCombs Richards, David Keith McCombs, wife Billie, Patricia Anne McCombs Wegiel and husband Edward.  He was a devoted grandfather to Kris Gilbert, Roger Bradley McCombs, Jr., wife Mary Beth, Brian McCombs, wife Joy, Bethy McCombs, Justin Boyd Richards, Shea Corbett McCombs, wife Taryn, Magnolia Anne McCombs Guglielmi, husband Anthony, Jonathan Sherman McCombs, and Jordan Aaron Grant Huss, and he dearly loved his great-grandchildren Luke, Liam, Owen, Max, Rory, and Elliott. In addition to his wife and parents, Roger was preceded in death by two grandchildren:  Bobby Jo and Jessie Ryan.  A Graveside Service including Military Honors will be held at 2:30 PM Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery.   “Taps:  Day is done, gone the sun, from the lake, from the hill, from the sky.  All is well, safely rest.  God is nigh.”  All arrangements are under the care of Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home, and we express our deepest sympathy to the McCombs family and friends.