David Allen Coombs

David Allen Coombs peacefully returned home on Dec. 18, 2017 at his daughter's home in Chubbuck, ID surrounded by loved ones. His Christmas wish was to be reunited with his sweetheart, LaRue. We can only imagine the glorious celebration that is occurring.

Dave was born December 5, 1928 in Logan, UT to Titus William Coombs and Blanche Etta Allen Coombs. He was raised in Thatcher, ID, graduated from Grace High School, and attended college at Utah State Agricultural College (USU). It was in High School where he met LaRue Paskins, his life-long love. They were married in the Logan, UT Temple on October 27, 1948.

Dave was raised on his family's ranch in Thatcher and later purchased the ranch from his father, where he and LaRue raised their family. They alternated living in Thatcher and Gray's Lake, ID where, in addition to ranch and farm work, Dave also became a talented welder. He enjoyed his work and traveled and worked in many western states constructing municipal water tanks, laying pipelines, and working on hydro-electric plants, amongst many other projects. It was during this time that he and LaRue grew to love Southern Utah and when the time came to retire, they purchased a home in Ivins, UT. They loved the area and made many wonderful friends and memories there.

After several happy years in Ivins, they returned to Idaho due to declining health and to be nearer to family. They settled in Pocatello where their daughter, Annette, cared for them in their declining health. Annette and her husband, Glen, welcomed David into their home in Chubbuck and cared for him after LaRue's death. We will all be forever grateful for the love and care given to them by Annette and her wonderful family.

Dave had a beautiful singing voice and shared this talent throughout his life as a soloist and as part of several groups, including the Valley Quartet, octets, and church choirs. He loved teaching songs to his kids and grandkids (who could forget Moon River or Sneaky Snake). He was a funny, generous, and caring man who enjoyed a good joke, and he had a stubborn streak which he passed down to most of all his descendants!

In addition to his family, Dave loved the outdoors, from the lush mountain forests and the brilliant colors of autumn, to the blossoms of the desert cactus. He loved horses, hunting, fishing, boating, rafting, snow-mobiling, collecting coins, knives, and guns, and seeing completion of a job well done, whether fencing, constructing water tanks, connecting pipelines, or assembling 170-ton trucks for Simplot. He also loved a good western, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Lawrence Welk, Secondhand Lions, Last of the Summer Wine, the funny papers, nice cars ("Dave need dat"), huckleberry pie (anything huckleberry), a good rare steak, german-chocolate cake, Bluebird's chocolates (especially Victorias), and "a blink of co-co water ".

We are so proud to have had him in our lives.

David was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings in both Idaho and Utah wards and served as an ordinance worker at the St George Temple. He and LaRue served missions at the St George Regional Family History Center. He was an active leader in the Boy Scout program throughout the years. He derived much joy from his service to others.

He is loved and will be missed dearly as a brother, father, uncle, friend, grandpa, and "grandpa-great".

He is survived by his much loved big sister, Eileen Smith, South Jordan, UT; his five children: Keith (Ila) Coombs, Reno, NV; Annette (Glen) Cooley, Chubbuck, ID; Julie (Pete) Torres, Rock Springs, WY; Linda (Reed) Jaussi, St. George, UT; and Jana Coombs (Barclay Hastings), Salt Lake City, UT; fourteen grandchildren, and twenty (soon to be 22) great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his parents, his brother LaClede Coombs, sisters Etta Coombs and Evelyn Jensen, his sweetie LaRue, and a great grandson Bradley Cooley.

I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
I'll Be Home for Christmas lyrics © Carlin America Inc.

The family expresses many thanks to friends, neighbors, members of Victory Ward, Pocatello 41st Ward, Thatcher Ward, and the Wards in Ivins, for their friendship and thoughtfulness throughout the years. Special thanks to the staff of Access Home Health and Hospice for their extraordinary care, kindness, compassion, and invaluable support.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 West Chubbuck Rd., Pocatello, ID. A viewing will be held an hour and a half prior to services. Burial will be in the Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, ID. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Dave's favorite charity, Primary Children's Hospital, or your favorite charity.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting the "Tribute Wall" tab above.