He was born on Saturday, March 11, 1939 and was 76 years old. He was a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Chemistry and he pursued a second degree in textile chemistry. Jack Combs had a passion for being self sufficient that nobody could understand. He believed nothing much should be thrown out, that there was some future use of most things. He never wasted anything. He composted a lot of things to enrich the soil. He was especially proud this year when he turned over the composting leaves and saw lots of earthworms. He loved to see things grow, and he constantly studied and sought advice about the best ways to garden. He loved plants of all kinds: flowers, herbs, shrubs, and vegetables. Jack could always be found in the back of the line at any meal. He was the ultimate Southern gentleman in every way. He still stood when a lady approached. He loved books of all kinds and was always reading and learning. Jack had a dream about helping other people to be able to grow their own vegetables. He was willing to help anybody get started, giving advice and help. He was a member of Master Gardner for 8 years. For a number of years Jack worked on what he called The Food Patch Garden. Food grown in the garden was given to the Food Closet to distribute to needy people. When there was more than West Point could use, the rest was given to the Interfaith Food Bank. Some of the food was shared with local people who were unable to work a garden or get to the food closet. When there were abundant vegetables, Jack wanted to cook some and take a meal to shut-ins. That started a monthly project that grew to delivering 30 plates to shut-ins with a well balanced meal. He just last week coordinated the cleanup of a mile or so of the Boy scout Road (as a part of the Great American Cleanup Project) with the help of 4 Point University students. He was proud of their work and was looking forward to doing more with them this week. Jack was a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association for 15 years and was presently serving on the board for the association. He enjoyed the hiking and interactions with the other members and was a regular on the monthly trail workdays or on special projects. He was a member of the First Baptist Church West Point where he has served several terms as deacon.

He is survived by his wife Linda H., his daughters Belinda Joy (Jeff) Cook of Wake Forest, N.C. and Jo Suzette Byrd (Will) Haynie of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., one grandson Eric Sterling Byrd of Hoover, Al, and one granddaughter, Rachel Barrett Byrd of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He is also survived by his sister Harriet Little of Huguley. He was proud of his two daughters and both of his grandchildren and was looking forward to seeing what they would do with their future. He was preceded in death by his Father, Sterling Combs, his mother, Willeila Jones Combs, and his brother Cal Combs.