Johnnie Lee Combs

Longtime Cardinal Supporter and Collinsville Resident, John L. Combs, dies at 83

Johnnie Lee Combs was born to Lucy Olive Morris Combs and John Thurman Combs at their home on Broadway Street in Collinsville, Oklahoma on July 19, 1940.  John was the second of six children in the family who eventually resided in the family home built by John T. in Collinsville. John attended Collinsville public schools and graduated from Collinsville High School with the class of 1958.  John played football, basketball and baseball with the Cardinal High teams during his high school career. After graduation, John completed his Freshman year at Tulsa University but decided not to re-enroll the following year when he and Judy Maxine Huck decided to marry on July 3, 1959, at the Combs’ family home.  With a new family on the way, John took a sales position with Sears, Roebuck & Co.’s flagship store at 21st & Yale in Tulsa. This significant step would influence John’s future as a successful businessman, community leader and father. Soon after starting at Sears, Judy and John welcomed their first child, Raymond Victor, with three more sons to follow: David Lee, Steven Michael, and Cris Eugene. The family moved into their forever home, another house built by John T. Combs and family, in 1973. It was in this home where John was surrounded by his family, laughter and music and lots of food in his final days and passed peacefully in his sleep on August 25, 2023, after a battle with cancer.

John was a true renaissance man. He recorded our extended family history in written stories, poetry, songs, and photos. In fact, you didn’t even have to be a relative to be gifted a poem by John.  He published countless individualized table-top books for many friends, family and community members. He was very active with the “Nifty-Fifty” class in Collinsville and organized many class reunions and gatherings.  John was a skilled gardener and took great pride and creativity in his garden-scape designs and in growing heirloom crops which fed the neighborhood all summer long.  He had a profound knack for seeing the potential in seemingly useless things and often crafted wonderful creations with these objects. One obvious example of this talent is the 25 ft. tall swing set he built at their home out of scrap metal from the Sear warehouse when it closed. Judy wanted a swing set that would go really high. John made that happen. Local neighborhood folks still use that swing set as a navigational landmark.

During his career at Sears, John rose from the ranks of sporting goods department salesman to eventually manage the entire women’s department - back when Sears was a renowned purveyor of high-quality goods like custom wedding gowns, luxurious furs, and the very latest in haute couture fashions for women of all ages. John’s salesmanship skills were legendary among Sears employees, and he was awarded numerous times for his leadership in sales and marketing at Sears.  One award was a cruise to the Bahamas.  Judy wanted to go snorkeling. John made that happen. Photos of that elegant voyage still deck the walls.

John was totally devoted to family and was always encouraging and supportive as we grew up and even after. He was a frequent lecturer to the young ones, the old ones, and all in between, about the best way to do things. You didn’t even have to be a family member to get the “safety lecture” from John. He always insisted that we follow the golden rule, do the right thing and be true to our word, but when we didn’t, he never gave up on us. He continued to inspire and teach us to be patient with ourselves and with others.  He was generous and sometimes gave too much.  He was tough and yet kind. He was hard-headed and also willing to admit when he was wrong. He was Johnnie Lee. He was Dad. He was Papa.  Judy wanted a lifetime of happiness with her soul mate. John made that happen. We all were there for the journey and bear witness to that happiness today and in the future.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Lucy O. and John T. Combs, his sons Steven Michael Combs and Cris Eugene Combs and a host of aunts, uncles, and ancestors. John is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Judy M. Combs. He is survived by his sons Raymond V. Combs and Mark Hugret of Reno, NV, and David L. and Paula R. Combs of Collinsville, OK.  He is survived by three grandsons: Joshua Ray Combs, Jordan Wade Combs, and Adam Zane Combs.  He is survived by his siblings Joyce Barth, Bob Combs, Peggy Cantrell, Freida Barlow, and Jennine Carlile. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Johnnie Lee Combs, go in peace and walk proudly with our Cherokee ancestors.  ᏙᎾᏓᎪᎲᎢ is “Donadagohvi” which means “Till we meet again” in the Cherokee language.

Memorial Service:
St. Therese Catholic Church Fellowship Hall
1007 N 19th St.
Collinsville, OK
Saturday, September 23, 2023
1-2pm visitation with the family
2-3pm Service (followed by car processional)
3:30pm - Internment at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Collinsville

The family request that you wear Collinsville Cardinal’s colors (red, white, Columbia blue) and/or Cardinal insignias, but it is not required.

The family respectfully requests that you please make a donation in John’s name to your favorite charity in lieu of sending flowers.