A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of willard eugene "Gene" mccombs, former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Willard Eugene "Gene" McCombs was born on June 16, 1925, in Faith, North Carolina, to Junius Ray McCombs and Ethel Irene Peeler McCombs; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs graduated from Granite Quarry High School in 1942 and attended Catawba College; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs served as a private with the 31st Infantry in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs was a merchant who successfully ran McCombs & Co., a family‑owned grocery store, until 1999; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs dutifully served the people of Faith and Rowan County in various public offices for more than 35 years; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs served on the Faith Board of Aldermen from 1948 to 1959 and served as Mayor of Faith from 1959 to 1961; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs served on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners from 1966 to 1976, eight of those years as Chair, and from 1980 to 1982; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs served with honor and distinction as a member of the General Assembly from 1993 to 2003; and
Whereas, during his six terms in the House of Representatives, Gene McCombs made contributions as a member of numerous committees and commissions, including Pensions and Retirement, Congressional Redistricting, Education, Finance, Public Utilities, Rules, and Environment and Natural Resources Committees; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs was active in his community serving as a member of the Jaycees, Civitan Club, and American Legion Post 327; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs served as Chair of the Rowan County Board of Health for 10 years and as a Governor's appointee to the Law and Order Commission; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs was a member of Shiloh United Church of Christ; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs received the Jaycees' Distinguished Service Award and the Rowan Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding Service Award and was twice named "Man of the Year" by the Faith Civitan Club; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs died on January 20, 2004, at the age of 78; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs is survived by his wife, Jean; son, Keith; daughter, Pam; and four grandchildren; and
Whereas, Gene McCombs will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life, memory, and service of Willard Eugene McCombs and expresses its gratitude for his service to the people of his district, State, and country.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Willard Eugene McCombs for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Willard Eugene McCombs.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.