James Daniel McCombs

February 27, 1917 - May 4, 2004

James Daniel McCombs: Jim passed away Tuesday afternoon at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 7 days. Jim is survived by three sons and their wives: Duane and Patricia McCombs of Kansas, City, MO; Craig and Cristy McCombs of Oskaloosa; and Roger and Mindy McCombs of Pella; and by a daughter-in-law: Elizabeth McCombs of Post Falls, Idaho. He was blessed with five grandchildren: Alexander, Ryan, Casey, Katherine and Megan McCombs. James Daniel McCombs was born on February 27, 1917 to Zach and Cora Sytsma McCombs in Tracy, Iowa. On Sept. 16, 1940 Jim enlisted in Troop E of the 113th Cavalry, Heavy Mechanized Iowa National Guard. He was inducted into active military service in United States Army in January 1941. After his unit was activated it was renamed the 113th Cavalry Group, ""The Fighting Red Horses"". He participated in the invasion of Normandy and subsequently saw action in France, Belgium, Germany and Holland. Jim married Dorothy Edith Veerman on Dec. 6, 1942 in Kirksville, MO. Jim was a lifelong resident of Oskaloosa, working at Green Ford and Carriker Ford as a mechanic. He later worked at Vermeer Manufacturing in Pella as a warehouseman, retiring from there in 1993. Jim was a lifetime member of the D.A.V. and a member of the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy, of over 57 years on October 27, 2000; his oldest son, James D. McCombs on November 5, 2003; and two brothers, Robert and Chuck McCombs. PDF Printable Version