Jerry Ralph Combs

Jerry Ralph Combs, age 84, passed away on February 8, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. He was born on February 22, 1941, in Santa Cruz, California to Ralph and Lucile Combs. He was raised and attended school in Ponca City, Oklahoma. After high school, he joined the United States Army on November 18, 1959.

While on duty in Germany, Jerry met and fell in love with Kaethe Lange. They married on May 15, 1962, in Bad Herzfeld, Germany. They moved to Oklahoma in November 1962 and began to establish their family. He had four children (Jurgen, Jerry Don, Jeffery William, and Susan Marcile).

Jerry was fondly called Opa by 13 grandchildren (Kevin, Dean, Jennifer, Glen, Christopher, Carl, Anthony, Jarrett, Eric, Jesse, Jonathan, Jordan, Jacob) and 5 great-grandchildren (Colt, Luke, Alani, Aiden, Arthur).

His family will always remember him as a devoted, wise, and loving husband, father, Opa, and child of God. Jerry was active at Our Savior Lutheran Church and could be seen greeting guests and assisting with potlucks or other events. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star. Until he retired, Jerry worked as a diesel mechanic for Yellow Freight Systems. He liked to visit the Rutherford Senior Center to visit with friends and play a variety of games. Jerry enjoyed tinkering with cars and engines, working on computers, playing dominoes and cards, walking, Wii (and actual) bowling, watching game shows and western movies with Kaethe, and spending time with family and friends. He was always first to jump in to help a friend or relative fix a car, lawn mower, or computer.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Kaethe Combs, parents Ralph Lester Combs (father), Lucile Combs Snodgrass (mother) and F.W. “Bill” Snodgrass (stepfather) and one grandchild, Jennifer.

Jerry is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins.