Leonard A. Coombs, age 97, a Manitowoc resident, passed away Friday, September 30, 2022 at Shady Lane Assisted Living, Manitowoc.
He was born July 13, 1925 in Missoula, Montana, son of the late Walter and Wilhelmina (Gerlach) Coombs. As a child, Len learned to love the great outdoors and spent much of his free time roaming around Mount Sentinel with his friends. He also enjoyed his time at the family cabins at Seeley Lake and Flathead Lake, as well as visiting his grandfather’s ranch in Alberta. After graduating from Missoula High School with the class of 1943, Len enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Kalinin Bay, participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, which some historians deem the largest naval battle in history. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, Len attended the University of Montana and worked summers at Yellowstone National Park, where he met Margaret M. Carlton. The couple married on May 6, 1950 at St. James Episcopal Church in Manitowoc. She preceded him in death on July 31, 2022.
Len was employed at Hamilton Manufacturing in Two Rivers, retiring after 38 years as a project engineer. He was an avid musician who played the tuba in several local polka and dance bands, including Leroy Vondruska, Sy Vetter, Hans Mueller, and The Mystic Moods. Len also played in the Two Rivers Hamilton Band and the American Legion Band. As a hobby, he also enjoyed operating a Ham Radio for many years under the call sign N9QF0. Len was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and served as a lay leader and member of the choir.
Survivors include his four children: Leonard (Shirley) Coombs Jr., Ann Arbor, MI, and Tucson, AZ, Margaret “Peggy” (Robert) Turnbull, Manitowoc, Jean (Joseph) Welnicke, Manitowoc, and Ann (Robert) Barbier, Manitowoc; seven grandchildren: John (Claire) Coombs, Anne Coombs (Matt Robertson), Andrew Turnbull, Kelly (Eric) Stahl, Lisa (Dustin) Fahney, Madeline Barbier-Johnson (Keenan Johnson), and Jack (Jennifer) Barbier; nine great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years: Margaret Coombs; parents: Walter and Wilhelmina Coombs; two brothers: Walter Coombs and Robert (Jennie) Coombs; father-in-law and mother-in-law: John and Ruby (Harrison) Carlton; and brother-in-law: PFC John Carlton Jr.
Cremation has occurred and funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 7, 2022 at St. James Episcopal Church, 434 North 8th Street, Manitowoc. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Diane Murray. Leonard will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post 88 of Manitowoc. Following the service, a luncheon for family and friends will be served at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. James Episcopal Church, Manitowoc.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Shady Lane Assisted Living as well as Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the compassionate care shown to Leonard and his family.
