Donald Hugh Combs

Donald Hugh Combs, 79, of Ashdown, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at a Texarkana, Texas hospital. He was surrounded by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Ford Combs, his daughters, Nancy Combs and Nicole Crow and her husband Charles Crow, his grandsons: Lincoln Combs, Houston Crow, Cade Crow, and Chase Crow, and Houston's fiance', Brittany McElroy. He is also survived by two sisters and their husbands: Carole and Dale Booth and Judy and Ted Messer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Nelson and Ruby Starks Combs, three brothers: Robert, Herbert, and John, and one sister, Linda Hewitt. Donald was born August 1, 1937 in Red Bluff, Arkansas. He graduated from Ashdown High School in 1955 and the next day joined the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force he was stationed in Libya, Korea, Spain, Canada, and several places across the United States and had the opportunity to attend and graduate from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., He retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service, and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Eastern University in Tyler, Texas; and a Masters of Business Administration degree from East Texas State University in Texarkana, Texas. After working several years in the corporate world, he became a Certified Public Accountant and established his own firm in Ashdown, where he worked for 26 years. Donald was a charter member of Oak Grove Baptist Church (established in 1948). Over the years he served as a deacon, sunday school superintendent, treasurer, and nursery worker, among other positions. He remained an active member until his death. Donald spent many weekends traveling to Fayetteville for Arkansas Razorback football, basketball, and baseball games. He was also a very dedicated Papa to his four grandsons, and was a fixture at all of their activities. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Christian School, 3107 Trinity Blvd., Texarkana, Ark. 71854 or to Oak Grove Baptist Church, 509 Highway 108, Ashdown, Ark. 71822. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, with burial to follow in the Ashdown Cemetery. Family will receive friends Friday, December 30, 2016 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Don Jones, Jay Baker, and Corey Perkins are officiating. Online registration at maddenfuneralservice.com.