Doyle Ray McCombs

Doyle Ray McCombs, 79, died July 13, 2008 after a courageous and lengthy battle with leukemia.

McCombs was born to Charles and Mamie McCombs in Licking, Mo., on July 6, 1929. He worked as power plant operator at General Electric at Hanford from 1949 until 1960 when he moved to Alaska and settled in the Matanuska Valley, where he dairy farmed for many years. After retiring from farming, he owned and operated Mac’s Trucking and later worked for Laidlaw, driving bus until he retired in 2002. Upon retiring, McCombs and his wife, Joan, began residing between Kennewick, Wash., and Palmer.

McCombs enjoyed farming, horses, gardening, antique cars, and traveling in his RV. His family will always remember him as a kind, gentle, hard-working man who had an adventurous spirit and loved life. He loved to laugh and visit with his friends and family. He never hesitated to lend a helping hand, they said.

McCombs is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan; daughters Wanda Fortune and husband, Karl, of Kodiak and Lisa O’Brien and husband, Dale, of LaConner, Wash.; brothers Lester and Vernon of Grandview, Wash., and Norman of Winnemucca, Nev.; sisters LaVina Goodrich of Selah, Wash., and Rosella Williams of Post Falls, Idaho; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

McCombs was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Mamie McCombs; daughter Raylene Coleman; brothers Jennings, Coy and Robert McCombs; and sister Venita Eygabroad.

Visitation and services will be held in Kennewick, Wash. The family invites people to sign the online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.