Donald Mccombs

Donald H. McCombs

February 6, 1942-August 26, 2024

Sebring, Florida

Donald McCombs passed in Sebring, Florida after a long decline and is finally at peace. He lived his life with strength and fortitude that carried out in his death journey.

For Christmas a few years back Don was gifted a mug from his granddaughter Isabella that said, “The man. The myth. The legend.” and that perfectly summed up Don.

He was born on February 6, 1942 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Bloomington, Pennsylvania, a small coal mining town. He attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and was in charge of stoking the coal stove in winter to keep everyone warm. He got paid a nickel a day for that job and continued that unparalleled work ethic throughout his life.  He ended up working at a bowling alley when he was 12 and bought  his dad a new pair of hunting boots with his first paycheck. That’s just the kind of person that he was.

He joined the Marine Corps as soon as he turned 17 and afterwards followed construction jobs in other states to earn a living. He later landed a union job at General Motors in Ohio and retired there after 25 years.

He had sea green eyes and a charismatic attitude that made meeting women easy.  The one that stuck the most was his ex-wife that he was married to for 25 years.

He also managed to live in 4 countries, including the United States, Costa Rica, Thailand and the Philippines. At last count he traveled to 48 different countries. His favorite country in Europe was Spain and he really loved Thailand in Asia.

Besides travel he committed himself to walking seven miles per day wherever he was, was a voracious reader of detective mysteries, had a strong interest in politics, and always keep a beautiful and meticulous garden and home.

Friend’s nicknamed him Luke from a Hank William’s album called “Luke The Drifter”. He liked to have fun and danced as often as he could. He had a fiery temperament coupled with a heart as big as a blue whale. He was very generous and if you were in his small circle of family and friends he loved you large. He lived spontaneously and tried to fill it with as many experiences as he possibly could. He was genuine and true. He fully encapsulated the saying “salt of the earth”.

He will be sadly missed by his daughter Dawn McCombs and granddaughter’s Luci and Isabella McCombs-Byrne. He also leaves behind his dear sister Faye Tubbs and brothers Jim and Ed McCombs.

He adamantly refused to have a funeral or memorial service, but did agree to letting his daughter travel to all of his favorite places over time and invite people in the area that he met in his travels and in life to gather. If she is coming to an area near you, she will reach out to share memories and have a good laugh together.