Thomas Delano Combs

Tom was born on October 15, 1945, to Andrew and Emily (Claussen) Combs. He was proud of growing up on the West Side of St. Paul, MN where he and his six siblings created lifetime memories roaming the neighborhood, playing games with dear friends, and walking or bicycling to relatives’ homes and the local parks. These years created the foundation of strong values that Tom lived throughout his life. After graduating from Central High School in St. Paul, Tom attended Winona State College prior to proudly serving his country in Vietnam as a Sergeant in the United States Army and, also in the National Guard of Minnesota. His military service was an important aspect of his life’s foundation and a source of personal pride for Tom and his family.

Tom married Jill, his best friend of 33+ years, on New Year’s Eve 1992. (His perspective was they “just as well get the tax deduction!”). He lived most of his life in the Twin Cities before realizing a retirement dream of “living someplace where no snow shovel was needed” as he and Jill established their retirement home with a backyard paradise in the Arizona desert in 2024.

Tom enjoyed a varied and rewarding career focused mainly on telecommunications and information technology, ultimately opening his own technology firm which he managed for eleven years before retiring in 2015. But his true love and passion was his family. Baseball, football, hockey, basketball, softball, karate/martial arts…whatever the interest of any one of the kids…he was all-in. From coaching their teams to cheering them on as an avid spectator, Tom was their biggest fan and forever a proud father. Tom cherished time outdoors, specifically enjoying nature, watching wildlife, and taking long walks with Jill. He loved meeting new people and was happy chatting about any topic of conversation. Other favorite things included family genealogy, reading, golf, hunting/shooting, and spectator sports…especially his favorite MN Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, and Gophers. Despite the Minnesota connection, he proudly wore his Nebraska Cornhusker hat as Jill had quickly converted him to a Husker fan…except, of course, when they were playing the Gophers!

Tom is survived by his wife, Jill; his first wife, Leanne Combs; children, Matthew (Kris), Mark, and Alexandra; siblings, Nancy (Mike) Ruth, Jeffrey Combs, Steven Combs; sisters-in-law Kristi Meints (Frank) and Dawn Baker; plus, many nieces, nephews, and long-time friends from Minnesota and across the country as well as wonderful new friends in Arizona!

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Combs and Emily Sheppard; his brother, Richard Combs; his sisters, Penny Miller and Susan Thompson; and, a special brother-in-law, Gayle Thompson.

Following interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, St. Paul, MN, a Celebration of Life will be held in MN during the spring of 2026. Details will be shared on this site later.