Obituary of Kermit A. Combs

Kermit Combs died peacefully on March 25, 2017 with his wife Carolyn by his side. He is survived by Carolyn; sister Karen Rentsch (Frank) and brother Gary Combs (Wilma Lee); daughters Bobbie Combs, Jean McDonald (Robert) and Susan Puruleski; sons Michael Combs and Chuck Combs (Lanna); grandchildren Ashley, Donald, Katelyn and Julia Puruleski, Kyra and Keane McDonald, Mariah and Autumn Combs, Cory and Emily Combs, Chelsea and Katie Daniels; and great grandchildren Noah Wilson and Carter Sisson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Thelma Combs, and his brother George Combs. Kermit was born in Rio, West Virginia. His family later moved to Barberton, Ohio, which is where he met his future wife, Carolyn Anderson. They attended Barberton High School together and after graduation, Kermit joined the Air Force and enjoyed his training as a weatherman. When he returned home, he and Carolyn were married, set up house in Akron, Ohio, and began their family. He attended the University of Akron and worked for Firestone and Babcock & Wilcox, where he was apprenticed as a draftsman. In 1966 the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and Kermit began working for General Electric. While there he realized his long-held dream of becoming a pilot, earning his pilot’s license and going on to become a flying instructor for many years. Following his time at GE, he worked for Senco Products and especially loved working in the international division, where he was able to travel and make friends around the world until he and Carolyn retired to Florida in 2001. He spent his retirement years visiting with family, traveling and watching rocket launches. Kermit had a big smile and a friendly manner. He was an avid reader, fiercely intelligent and curious about everything, especially if it had to do with aviation. He was a gifted artist, a talented photographer and a music aficionado. Above all, Kermit was a wonderful husband and father who always took the time to show his family that he loved them. His family will remember him every time they enjoy an ice cream cone or see an airplane fly overhead. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, with a viewing at 9:30, at the First Baptist Church of Cocoa, 750 Brevard Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922.