Hamilton C. Combs, Jr., age 93, of Ada, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Hamilton was beloved by all who knew him and while his family will miss him, they take comfort in imagining the welcome he received in heaven. The youngest of nine siblings, Hamilton was born to the late Hamilton C. and Stella (Carty) Combs, Sr. in Salyersville, Kentucky on June 12, 1931. He always spoke fondly of his childhood in McGuffey, Ohio. He was a graduate of McGuffey High School.
Hamilton was a proud Air Force Veteran who served during the Korean War. While serving in the Air Force, he traveled home to surprise the love of his life with a marriage proposal on Christmas Eve. He married Maxine Ruth Hicks on June 12, 1953 which was his twenty-second birthday. The wedding date was carefully chosen to ensure he would never forget their anniversary!
Hamilton served and worshipped at McGuffey Church of Christ, where he was an Elder, Treasurer, and Sunday School teacher. He retired from Superior Coach and General Dynamics.
Hamilton was preceded in death by his parents, Hamilton and Stella Combs; siblings: Ethel (Fred) Hattery, Mary (Ray) Neeley, Elsie Combs, Mitchell (Madelyn) Combs, Delma (Willard) Mullett, Roosevelt (Barb) Combs, Raymond (Irene) Combs, and Thelma (Wilbur) Slusser; son, Robert Alan Combs; and granddaughter, Blythe Lee Combs. He was married to Maxine Ruth Hicks for almost seventy-two years, before she passed on December 2, 2024. His family valued their time with him, knowing that he would soon follow his Babe.
He is survived by two children: Hamilton C. (Teressa) Combs, III of Dola and Rhonda (Rick) McGinnis of Findlay; six grandchildren: Courtney Combs, Whitney Combs, Caleb (Liz) Combs, Shawn (Ashley) Gibson, Lucas (Tiffany) Gibson and Brittany (Eric) Keplar; three step grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the McGuffey Church of Christ, P.O. Box 303, McGuffey, Ohio 45859.
