Obituaries

George Donald Combs

Photo of George Donald Combs
George Donald Combs of Fort Smith died Monday June 9, 2014. He was born Oct. 2, 1937, in Fort Smith to the late George W. and Martha Coleman Combs. George was the first person to earn a PhD in Engineering from University of Arkansas Fayetteville. In his career he taught at the University of Arkansas, worked for Exxon and also helped found an environmental company, ENSCO, which was the first company in the United States licensed to incinerate PCBs. A strong believer in education, his donations helped build the Bell Engineering Center at the U of A, as well as funding scholarships there, at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and through 4H. He was generous with his time as well, serving at different times as President of the Board of Directors of the Sebastian County Farm Bureau, Treasurer of the Arkansas Food Bank, a member of the 4-H Foundation Board and a member of the College of Engineering Advisory Council. He is also a member of the College of Engineering Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; and his brother, Dan Combs of Fort Smith; two daughters, Laura Huneycutt and Frances Combs; his son, Greg Combs; as well as three grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Cavanaugh Freewill Baptist Church. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014 at Edwards Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published June 15, 2014

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