Major General James “Jim” C. McCombs
Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
Major General (Retired) James “Jim” C. McCombs, 88 years old, of Lithia, Florida, passed away on June 13, 2024, after a multiple year battle with cancer.
Jim was born on January 23, 1936, to Howard McCombs & Catherine McCombs (Sullivan) in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. After graduating from St. Francis De Sales High School in 1954, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Following 8 years as an Enlisted Airman, he attended Officer Candidate School and received his commission as a USAF Officer in 1962. He then received his wings as a USAF Pilot from Vance AFB, Oklahoma in 1963 and went on to serve for 34 years 9 months more as a Pilot and Commander. He served for a total of 42 years 9 months continuous active service in the USAF. At the time of his retirement, he had the most continuous active service time of any member in the USAF.
In 1966 he graduated from the University of Omaha with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and in 1976 he graduated with his Master’s Degree from Troy State University.
In 1956, he met Judith Kay Forgey, and they married in 1958. They served together, as a wonderful team for over 61 years before she passed away. Some of the places they lived included Indiana, France, South Carolina, Illinois, Alabama, Washington DC, Portugal, and Florida.
After retiring in 1997 from the USAF as the Deputy Commander of US Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, they decided to make Tampa their home. Jim spent his time consulting, playing golf, gardening, restoring his 1971 Volkswagen Bug convertible, reading, traveling, and following the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, his wife Kay, and his younger brother, John R. “Bob” McCombs (Joan). He is survived by his older brother George M. “Mac” McCombs, His brother-in-law Doug Forgey (Shelby), his nephews David McCombs (Linda) and Michael McCombs, nieces Deb Karabin (Jim) and Lisa Hawkins (Dan), great nieces Molly McCombs, Kezhia Karabin, Kate Hawkins (Rob), Maggie McCombs, and Jessica McCombs, nephews Derek Forgey (Kimbra), Michael Forgey, and great great niece Raegan LaMon.
In lieu of flowers, Jim requested donations be made to a favorite charity. A few of his favorite charities included the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the Moffitt Cancer Center.
Jim will be laid to rest beside his wife, Kay, at a graveside service in Mount Hope Cemetery, Logansport, Indiana, later this summer. Please chcck back for updated information. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Fisher Funeral Chapel.