Coombs, Eugene G., departed this life on December 6, 2004. Mr. Coombs was born March 17, 1911 at Hutchinson, KS and moved to Wichita, KS in 1912. He received his elementary and high school education at Wichita Public Schools. He was elected President of his school class each year from the 7th Grade through his graduation in 1929 from Wichita High School. He received a B.A. Degree from the University of Wichita in 1933 and an L.L.B. Degree from University of Kansas in 1936. He was in the practice of law in Wichita, KS for over 60 years. Organizational affiliations during his lifetime were East Heights United Methodist Church Administrative Board, Executive Board of Quivera Council of Boy Scouts of America, Life Member of Salvation Army Advisory Board, 1992 Recipient of the Salvation Army William Booth Award, Board of Trustees of Y.M.C.A., Past President of Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors, Hoover Presidential Library Board Trustee, Rotary International, American Bar Association, Kansas Bar Association, Wichita Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, Special Agent of Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice 1937-1942 (drove for J. Edgar Hoover), Association of Former F.B.I. agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations-served as National Vice President, Wichita Country Club, Chancellors Club of Wichita State University and served as President of Wichita State University Alumni Association, Former member of Vestry of St. James Episcopal Church, Wichita Art Museum, Past President of Metropolitan Planning Commission, Wichita Crime Commission, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Wichita Consistory, Wichita Midian Shrine, Albert Pike Lodge, Wichita Estate Planning Counsel, American Judicature Society, Kansas Association of Defense Counsel, Sportsman's Pilot Association, Inc., President's Club of Friends University, Wichita, KS. Mr. Coombs has a Commercial Pilot instrument rating. He was a Lieutenant in U.S. Navy Reserve from 1943-1946 and served on Active Duty in Europe, Mediterranean, North Atlantic (16 Crossings), North Africa and Middle East (after the Germans surrendered); Executive Office for Armed Guard Contingent, Cairo, Egypt. He was predeceased by his parents, Albertus J. and Sarah Dorth Coombs; son, Eugene G. Coombs, Jr.; brothers, Bert J., Roy A., and Dorth L. Coombs and a sister, Gratia Coombs Kemp. He is survived by his spouse, Mary A. Coombs of the home; son, Russell M. Coombs of Cinnaminson, NJ; daughter, Judith A. Coombs Schreiber of Estes Park, CO and a step-daughter, Shelley J. Goeney Bush, Wichita, KS and eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at East Heights United Methodist Church with burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established with East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67218, The Salvation Army, 350 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202, and Y.M.C.A., 402 N. Market, Wichita, KS 67202. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family via www.cochranmortuary.com
Published in the Wichita Eagle from 12/8/2004 - 12/9/2004