Charles S. Coombs Sr.

CDR. Charles S. Coombs, Sr, affectionately known as Charlie, died Wednesday, June 3rd, 2015, at Townsend Park Nursing Home in Cartersville, GA at the age of 97. He was born in New York City on February 9, 1918 and was raised in Essex Fells, New Jersey. He joined the U S Navy in 1939 and became a Naval Pilot; first training at Floyd Bennett on Long Island, NY and then advancing to flight school at the Naval Base at Pensacola, FL. He trained on bi-wing Stearmans and was eventually assigned to sea duty, flying Chance-Vought OSU2 Kingfisher float planes. He was at NAS Jax on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor during WWII. During the war, he saw duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Post war duty assignments were mainly east and west coast. He was in the vanguard of ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) research at the end of the war, and continued flying until retirement in 1961, at Coronado Naval Air Station on North Island, Coronado, California. The family moved to Cocoa, Florida after his retirement, where he worked for the down-range facility at Patrick AF Base at Satellite Beach, FL. After leaving Patrick AFB, he worked for Pan American airlines at the Cape, and eventually worked for the Brevard County School Board. In 2002, after his wife of 59 years, Virginia, died, he moved to Cartersville to be near his daughter, Janet C. Johns.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Ames Coombs (2001); his second son, Philip deBexidon Coombs (2001); his father, Edward Fremeaux Coombs (1961); his mother, Elsie Soden Coombs (1976); his three brothers, King (1994), Peter (1979), and Sam (2011); and his son-in-law, James Philip Johns, Sr. (2003). Surviving is his oldest son Dusty, (Charles, Jr.) of Cartersville; his daughter, Janet C. Johns, also of Cartersville; his honorary daughter, Dee S. Lear (Miami, FL); his daughter in law, Jane C. Coombs (Jacksonville, FL); his grandchildren: Clark (Jacksonville, FL), Jonathan (Ocala, FL), Alice (Jacksonville, FL), Laura Kathleen (Tallahassee, FL), Andrew (Clarksville, TN), Kevin (New Mexico), Julia (Cartersville, GA), and James (Marietta, GA); his great grandchildren: Nicolai, Miranda, Joey, Maddy, Connor, Kate, Molly, Kevin Jr, and Benji; and his great-great grandson, Levi.

During his life he was always a true gentleman, with Victorian manners. He was a wonderful grandfather, affectionately nicknamed, Popie, or Grandpa. He was a quiet man, who loved his family; always non-complaining and considerate of everyone who was privileged to know him. He had a great love of reading, especially of the historical Civil War Era, and of completing jigsaw puzzles. He also enjoyed Big Band music, dancing, and woodworking. He was a member of the Retired Men’s Group that met weekly at the Cartersville Senior Center; he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the members and always looked forward to each meeting. During his life, he made a huge impact on all that were honored to know him. He will be truly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be conducted in Cartersville at the Owen Funeral Home Chapel on June 11, 2015 at 2pm, with visitation for family and friends from 1-2pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project or the Disabled American Veterans in his honor.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.