I’d like to tell you about your Great Grandfather Thomas Combs. He was the youngest of 10 children. He grew up during the Great Depression for some time in Chicago, some time in NE Indiana. He told me how his family struggled, but he family members took care of each other. He lost a sister and his mother to Tuberculosis.

He served in the US Navy during World War 2. He helped deliver medical supplies to the sick and wounded.

After the war he met your Great Grandmother Bonnie, they married, and their first child was your Grandmother Susan. They went on to have four more children.

Over the next several decades, your Great Grandfather got into education. He was a teacher and he also went to the university part time, getting a bachelors, masters, and finally a PHD! All this while trying to raise 5 children, and Great Grandmother Combs worked and went to the University too, and got a masters degree.

What I really admire about him is his strength of character. He was physically strong, he played some football in high school and college, but also a strong sharp mind. He loved to read books just like you and enjoyed music. He worked very hard and dilligently. He provided for his wife and all his children and was always faithful and responsible.

I have always had the greatest respect for him and it hurt that he passed away yesterday. Your Grandmother Susan was there attending him those last few days.

It does give me great joy to know that he did see you. We video chatted a 3 or four times before he passed away. The last time around Thanksgiving when you left such a wonderful impression on him. You made your Dad very happy and proud to be able to show you off to one of the people I respected most.

It always gave me great pride to know that such a great man was my Grandfather, and I think you can feel proud too to know that he got to know you and love you as well.