Jules "Jay" Coombes

Jules “Jay” Bruce Talford  Coombes

Jules “Jay” Coombes, 85, of Duluth was called home on Monday, May 15, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was born December 31. 1931, in Duluth to
George and Carna Coombes. Jay married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia O’Connor on April 14, 1951 and
recently celebrated their 66th Anniversary.  Jay worked on the Great Lakes Shipping Fleet and U.S. Steel until his retirement at age 49. He continued to work doing home improvement and designing displays for a local fishing outlet.

Jay was an avid reader enjoying westerns and history especially. He played baseball, was on a bowling league, and ice skated into his mid-seventies. He was an outdoors man enjoying deer and duck hunting with his best friend Hank Hinnenkamp. In his later years he and his wife, Pat, shared a love for camping and fishing. In his last few years he loved to sit on his deck and watch the birds and yell at the squirrels.

Jay was known by many for his love of animals. He carried dog bones with him so he could offer treats to all dogs he met on his outings. He was a great neighbor and helped with mowing and snow removal for those who were infirmed or elderly.

Jay was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers: Clarence, Meredith, Neil, George, and Bradley and sister, Phaedra.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; son Michael of Duluth, daughters Deborah Coombes ( Ray Hicks), Cloquet and Cynthia ( Pete ) King, Thunder Bay, Canada. He is also survived by siblings; Regis (Nick) Glumac, Paula Boe, of Duluth, and Ramona, (Eli) Koss, Phoenix, AZ; Grandchildren: (who he loved dearly) Trevor, Nathan, Molly, Andrew, Adam, Ethan, Robert and Phillip, Deitrich and Blake . Great-Grandchildren; Noah, Haley, Dustin, Breanna, Oliver, Lucy, Matthew, Riley, Hunter and Oliver Robert; and Great-Great Grandchild; Noelle.

Our Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Benedictine Health Center, Chris Jensen Home, and St .Luke’s Hospital for their kindness and care given to our father while in residence, St. Luke’s Hospice who helped  our father pass with dignity and tranquility, and the West Duluth Firefighters for their many visits to help my father in his times of need.  Finally, special recognition to Ray who will sit vigil with Jay as he embarks on his final journey.

A Celebration of Jay’s Life will be  10AM until  12 Noon with a short prayer service following on Friday May 19, 2017  at the Williams-Lobermeier-Boettcher Funeral Home.   In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Animal Allies of Duluth in memory of Jay’s two dogs, Taffy and Spud.