Joseph Robert Combs

Age 96; passed away December 19, 2001 in Swedish Hospital, Seattle. Born March 25, 1905 to Alden and Martha Combs in Honaker, VA. As a child, he moved with his family to the Spokane area until age 17, when he left to cross the Pacific Ocean to China and the Philippines with the Merchant Marines. A prominent Seattle businessman, beginning with Aetna Bottle Co. in the 1930?s, reclaiming and recycling glass bottles and jars, including Seattle?s milk bottles. In the 60?s, Joe was the first to popularize home beer and winemaking. Aetna wine supply at Rainier and Dearborn provided Seattle with corks, bottles, barrels, crocks, ingredients and know-how from the 1960?s until his retirement in 1980. During his life he had homes in Woodinville, Bainbridge Island, Rancho Mirage CA, and for the last 25 years at Broadmoor in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle. Joe was a lifetime member of Queen City Yacht Club. Joe is preceded in death by a son, Joseph Combs Jr. and a grandson, Frank Patrick Seabeck. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, O?Zelma Combs, of Seattle; daughter, Marie Seabeck, of Seattle; sisters, Anna Klinge of Seattle, and Alta Vietzke, of Spokane; brother, Bert Combs of Seattle; 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral service Thursday, December 27; 12:00PM, Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home Chapel 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle. Burial, Evergreen Memorial Park.