Roger Grant Combe

On Monday August 2, 2021, Roger Grant Combe, loving husband and father of six, passed away at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

Roger was born on June 18, 1941 in Salt Lake City, UT to Grant and Maurine (Clark) Combe. He grew up in the Roy and Ogden areas and went to Weber High School. After graduation, he attended the University of Utah where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 1965. On October 22, 1966, he married his sweetheart, Joan Ruth Parrish. They raised six children, Matt (Trisha) Combe, Jill (Bryce) Holt, Erin (Guy) Balogh, Amy (David) Evans, Brooke (Karson) Franks and Kyle Combe.

The oldest of three, Roger was the self-proclaimed favorite child. From a young age he developed a love of sports, playing basketball and running track in high school. He passed his love of sports on to his children when they were young by taking them running at the nearby track and always finishing strong with a Slurpee and a candy bar from 7/11. He coached many seasons of soccer, softball, and basketball and watched countless games played by his children and grandchildren. He loved golf, played a mean game of pool and subsidized part of his college expenses through poker games.

In addition to his poker winnings, he supported his way through college working the night shift stocking shelves at the local Albertsons.  After getting off his shift, he would head straight to class and try to stay awake enough to learn something.  He never bought books because he didn’t have the money but “somehow managed to graduate”. He had a knack for numbers and was always the parent you went to when you needed help with your math homework. After college he moved to Arizona to work for his dad who owned a grocery store. Almost a year later, while living and working in Arizona, he famously proposed over the phone to his future wife (who was still living in Utah) by saying “don’t move to Phoenix unless you want to get married”. A few months later she did and they wed in the Chapel of Flowers off the Las Vegas Strip. The $50 wedding band he bought from a street vendor didn’t last long but his marriage to Joan did – 54 years.  On September 25, 1979 their marriage was sealed in the Los Angeles Temple.

Early in their marriage, with encouragement from his new bride, Roger decided he wanted to change careers and applied for a job in insurance sales with Safeco Insurance. A natural salesman, he landed the job and they moved to Anaheim, CA. Over the next couple years as they started their family, they moved from Anaheim, to Irvine and then Encinitas before permanently settling down in Escondido, CA. In 1975 after working a few years for Safeco, he began working for Robert F. Driver Co.  He excelled in his work, eventually becoming a Vice President and retiring in 2007 at the age of 65 after a 30+ year career.

Roger never met a stranger he couldn’t have a conversation with and was known for his easy manner and witty sense of humor.  Two of his absolute favorite joys in life were being a dad and a grandpa. Immediately after his sixth child was born, he turned and told the doctor he was “going to be their middle child” to which his wife replied “absolutely not”. Shortly after his first grandchild (Kylie) was born, he was placed on ‘cuddle restrictions’ because the new mom wanted some one-on-one time with her new baby too.

He was always kind and generous opening his home and his wallet to anyone in need. His pool was always open to anyone that wanted to swim and his fridge was always stocked with everyone’s favorite drinks.  He served many years in various callings as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved the fellowship and life-long friendships he made there.

Roger loved his routines. For as long as his kids can remember, he started off every day with a Carnation Instant Breakfast drink. He never left the house without getting ready, usually sporting a pair of khaki pants, a tucked plaid shirt and windbreaker or jacket of some kind.   He only ate strawberries with shortcake, always had a stash of peanut M&M’s and has gone to his grave having never tried broccoli and having absolutely no regrets about it.

In 2016, Roger and his wife sold their home of 37 years and relocated to Highland, UT to be closer to family. Sadly, over the last couple of years, he began to develop dementia. As his memory began to slip, many parts of his personality continued to shine through.  He never lost his love of conversation and connection with others, never lost his sense of humor and was always willing and eager to help anyone in need.

Roger was preceded in death by his father, Grant, and his mother, Maurine. He is survived by his wife Joan, his six children, Matt, Jill, Erin, Amy, Brooke and Kyle, his siblings Bruce and Jan, his uncle Lyman Clark, and his 23 grandchildren.

A viewing and funeral service will be held to celebrate his wonderful life at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel 11300 Highland Blvd. Highland, UT on Saturday August 7th, 2021. Viewing times will be from 9:00 to 9:45 am. Funeral services will begin at 10:00am.   Flowers can be sent to Russon Mortuary at 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, UT 84010.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Brothers Mortuary Facebook page and a link will be posted below.