The funeral for John Ray Combest, age 79, will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, May 5, 2016, at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Eric Keller and Rev. Ricky Edwards officiating. Burial will be at 2:30 PM at Highland Cemetery in Pawnee.
John was born to William and Mary (Dexter) Combest on September 29, 1936, in Pawnee, and passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016, in Enid.
John grew up in Pawnee, and graduated from Pawnee High School in 1955. On September 29, 1955, he married Shirley Rose Bell, and they made their home in Pawnee. John worked for Poteet Funeral Home and later worked as a dispatcher for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in December 1956. He served for eight years in the Oklahoma National Guard. John attended the 17th Oklahoma Highway Patrol School in 1962. He was assigned to Oklahoma City as Driver Examiner, transferring to Enid in July 1963. He transferred to Ponca City in 1965 and was promoted to Rank of Hearing Officer in 1969, before transferring back to Enid. After John’s retirement in 1979, he worked for Hospital Shared Services, and in July 1980, he became an Enforcement Officer for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. In August 1983, he was promoted to Oil & Gas Field Inspector for the Commission, responsible for operations in Garfield County, until his retirement on December 31, 1998. John has owned and operated Combest Custodial Company since 1975, and opened Family Car Center in 1999.
John was a member of Masonic Lodge #80, and was Past Master, and Past District Deputy Grand Master. He was also a past president of Waukomis Lions Club. John was a former member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon. He currently was a member of Oakwood Christian Church, where he taught 5th grade boys Sunday School class and served as a Deacon.
John is survived by his wife Shirley of the home; two sons, Mark Combest and wife Pam, and David Combest and wife Rose; four grandchildren: Carson, Harley, Rosenel and Sherilyn; sister-in-law Betty Jo Combest; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
John was preceded in death by seven brothers, and one sister.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oakwood Christian Church or SPCA.
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