Rev. Harold Paul Combs

Rev. Harold Paul Combs, 87, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 16, 2018. Rev. Combs, a longtime resident of Franklin, Ohio, was fully committed to the vows of marriage with his bride of 64 years, Rosalie Combs. Born on November 7, 1930, in Clayhole, Kentucky, to the late Nathan and Eva Combs, Harold matriculated at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, for one year before enlisting in the US Army, where he proudly served our nation from 1951 until 1953 as a company clerk and medic during the Korean War. Following his military service he enrolled and graduated from Lees College in Jackson, Kentucky, where he met and married Rosalie Taulbee. He then graduated from Morehead State College in Morehead, Kentucky with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, and later earned a Masters Degree from Xavier University. A career educator in schools located in Jackson, Kentucky, as well as in Waynesville and Carlisle, Ohio, Mr. Combs was widely esteemed by thousands of students during his 27 years in education. Rev. Combs was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He accepted Christ as his Savior in July, 1943, and was devoted to serving his Heavenly Father throughout the remainder of his life. He freely expressed how grateful he was that his wife, Rosalie, was both active and supportive of his fifty years of ministry, which included the Clayhole Grace Brethren Church (Ky.), Glenwood Grace Brethren Church (Oh.), and most recently at the Calvary Grace Brethren Church in Kettering, Ohio, where his son, Rev. Mark Combs, is pastor. Rosalie, served faithfully in many capacities in each of these churches, so together they were highly respected as a dynamic ministry team. He is survived by his beloved wife Rosalie; three sons, Paul D. Combs (Antoinette); Mark W. Combs (Chris) and Timothy L. Combs (Becky); as well as twelve grandchildren, David and Kristi Lynn Combs (Dec.), Anna Moorman (Eric), Luke (Briana), Caleb, Andrew (Katie), Stephen (Mary), Micah, Joshua, Jacob, Hannah (Dec) and Rachel Combs, as well as one great-grandchild, Emma Combs, who brought tremendous joy to his life the past three years. He is also survived by his sister, Edie Meadows, as well as many nieces and nephews who adored their Godly brother and uncle. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by siblings, Suzie, Georgia, Gordon, Edward and Charles Combs. Friends are invited to greet the family from 1:00 - 2:30 PM Sunday at the Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center at Preble Memory Gardens - 3377 US Rt. 35 - West Alexandria, OH. A Life Celebration Service will follow at 2:30 PM with Pastors Mark W. Combs, Robert P. Combs and Timothy L. Combs presiding. Burial Preble Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family and friends may share memories and condolences online at www.rlcfc.com. . To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Harold Paul Combs please visit our Sympathy Store.