Alvin Coombes

Alvin Coombes, 79, of Missoula passed away on May 10, 2015 in Puyallup, WA. He was a lifelong resident of Montana. He was born on October 21, 1935 in Missoula, Montana to Alvin and Ruth Coombes

Alvin enjoyed the outdoor life, rock hounding, hunting, and fishing with his children and grandchildren. As a young man he would often be seen with his pistol by his side. A family friend said he was the genuine article. Nothing but the real man he truly was.

He married the love of his life Theda Jewell Snowden on January 14, 1956. He served in the U.S. Army with the 11th Airbourne Division and later in the U.S. Army Reserve. He loved his country. A highlight for Alvin was when he met the Blue Angel Pilots when they performed in the Flathead Valley. Alvin had a unique sense of humor and readily shared his opinions and ideas. He loved to talk about what he thought was important at the time no matter how many times he had said it before. We will miss dad.

Alvin was a hardworking man supporting his family many ways whether working with concrete, picking fruit, driving truck or working at the LP mill in Missoula where he retired in 1996. He felt it was his responsibility to put food on the table.

He is survived by his children; Roger W. (Krista) Coombes, Alvin C. (Becky) Coombes, Brenda K. (Robert) Rang, Virginia R. (Roger) Elliot, Theda M. (William) McDermott, John W. (Angela) Coombes; a brother Jay Albert Coombes of Cedarville Arkansas; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Alvin was preceded in death by his loving wife Theda, his parents, Alvin & Ruth; his brothers Lon Mickey, Don, and Emmett Coombes, and grandson Ronald Dodge.

Viewing will be Monday, May 18, 2015 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Garden City Funeral Home. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 2:30pm at the Missoula City Cemetery. Garden City Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.