The Mencken Sociey notes with sadness the death of long-time member Cdr Norris K. Combs, USN (Ret.). His uncle, Dr. Josiah Henry Combs (1886-01-02, Hazard, Perry Co, KY—1960-06-28, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co, TX), chairman of the Texas Christian University department of foreign languages from 1927 to 1947, corresponded with Mr Mencken who twice references his work in Supplement I to The American Language. Cdr Combs donated the correspondence between his uncle and Mr Mencken to the Pratt Library’s Mencken room.—OP
[Obituary from Pensacola News Journal, 2007-05-31]
Norris K. Combs, 91, of Pensacola, FL
Norris K. Combs, 91, of Pensacola, FL passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2007.
Mr. Combs was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Ira and Myrtle Combs. He grew up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, the land of his ancestors. Mr. Combs and his family had lived in Pensacola since 1963, when he reported for duty at the Naval School of Aviation Medicine.
An Aerospace Physiologist, Mr. Combs was stationed in Pensacola from 1963 to 1968, when he retired after approximately thirty years service. He served as a Hospital Corpsman (Pharmacist’s Mate) during WWII in the South Pacific, including Guadalcanal, as well as other locations.
Norris received a B.S. degree from Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL and a M.S. from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He then returned to the Navy as an officer, where he was involved in the initial development of the full-pressure flight suit flown by Navy Test Pilots and our original Astronauts.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Loretta Combs; three sons, Thomas Combs, Richard Combs (Debbie), and Robert Combs (Lisa); four grandchildren, Tina Taylor (Stacy), Amy Combs, Tyler Combs, and Laura Mitchell (David); also two great-grandchildren Will and Whitney Taylor.
Visitation will be held 5-7pm Thursday, May 31, 2007 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00am Friday, June 1, 2007 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart with Msgr. Michael Reed celebrant. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers will be Ed Moyer, John Fox, Dan Gilmore, Zac Gilmore, Grant Hofberger, and Tyler Combs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd., Suite B, NAS Pensacola, FL 32508.
HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements