Arthur Earl McCombie | ||
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| Arthur Earl McCombie
MARQUETTE - Arthur Earl McCombie, resident of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Marquette, Michigan & New Smyrna Beach, Florida, returned to his Heavenly home October 22, 2009. Born October 7, 1917 in Marquette to Earle Daniel and Myrtle (Hansen) McCombie, of Scottish and Norwegian ancestry. Arthur was raised in Marquette and graduated from Graveraet High. He played 1st chair French horn in the Junior Marquette City Band grades 8-12. Youth hobbies included ice skating, skiing and fishing with “the fellows” and delivered 280 newspapers everyday. He received Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Michigan University and Master of Arts Degree in Music from University of Michigan. At Northern, he met Dorothy Jenkin Kelly in a music practice room, they married June 25, 1941 at her home in Ishpeming, MI. Arthur first taught in Amasa and Ontonagon, in 1942, Douglas Arthur was born. Arthur then taught in Flint as a music educator for Beecher Community School District where Bruce Earle was born in 1946. Arthur’s green thumb was evident in his plentiful garden, apple, pear and cherry trees as well as his splendid peonies and roses. In Flint, Arthur was active in the Norton Male Chorus and the Elks’ Glee Club, serving as director 40+ years while also teaching school. He composed advertising jingles for local radio stations, GM and even shared the stage with Dinah Shore. Arthur was an accomplished tenor soloist and performed classical, religious and pop music on stage, in concerts and family gatherings. Arthur’s Flint career spanned over four decades and retired in 1977. Arthur and Dorothy maintained two homes, a summer home in Hale and their winter paradise in New Smyrna Beach. Arthur’s hobbies included lapidary work and hunting rocks, ranging from Petoskey stones on Lake Superior beaches to Jade in the deserts of Wyoming. He fashioned beautiful pieces of jewelry for loved ones and was an avid fisherman who enjoyed the challenges of rivers and streams of Upper Michigan. The grandchildren spent time with him on his tractor lawnmower, skiing behind the “bat-boat”, swimming and fishing. His great-grandkids loved to hug, kiss and sing for him. Arthur’s memberships included 63 years as a Free Mason, was member of Flint Elks Club, Michigan Education Association, American School Band Director’s Association, University of Michigan Alumni Association, and an honorary member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. Survivors include wife, Dorothy; two sons, Dr. Douglas Arthur (Janet Ward) McCombie - Idaho Falls and Bruce Earle (Janice Damoth) McCombie - Marquette; his grandchildren, Cristie, Matthew, Samuel, Heidi, Ward, Elizabeth Jean, Michael and Laura; 30 great-grandchildren and sister Jean Johnson - Marquette. In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Wesley Johnson & 2 great-grandsons, Stuart & Spencer McCombie. Friends may call at the First Baptist Church, 728 W. Kaye Avenue, Marquette, on Monday, November 2, beginning at 12:00 noon. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm Monday afternoon with Pastor John Karvonen officiating. Burial will be made in the Park Cemetery. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall. Condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderswanson.com or www.woodfuneralhome.com in Idaho. | ||
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