Roger Sidney Combs, 78, passed away Monday, June 30, 2025, at his home in Fairlawn. Born March 24, 1947, Roger is preceded in death by his father and mother, Sidney Combs and Ruth Cooley Combs, and by his two sisters, Rebecca “Becky” Parish, and Cheryl Ross, all of Galax.
Left to cherish his memory is the love of his life since childhood, and wife of 58 years, Judy; by his three children who admired and adored him, Alison (Joe), Daronda (Robbie), and Shannon; by his three grandchildren who brought love and laughter to his life, Joey (Priya), Ryan, and Aiden; and by his great granddaughter, Lily. Several nieces and nephews will remember his love he expressed to them through his teasing. He is also survived by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and by several cousins though distance may have separated them after childhood.
Roger graduated from Danville Technical College and provided for his family working for C&P/Bell Atlantic/ Verizon for over 30 years with homes in Lynchburg, Roanoke, and finally settling in Pulaski County to raise his family. He also dedicated countless volunteer hours to the community with the Pulaski County Volunteer Lifesaving Crew. He led the organization as Captain for 15 years and expanded their services to include four separate stations that provided quicker and more effective response to emergency calls across the county.
He also rekindled his love of drag racing when he befriended Mike Sexton and developed a racing partnership that turned into a deep friendship (so much so, it was often confused as family) that spanned several decades. They raced their fastback mustangs, the Quarterhorse and the Quarterhorse II together at drag strips up and down the East Coast. He even served as the track EMT at Elk Creek Dragway for several years.
He enjoyed traveling and frequently ran into someone he knew wherever he traveled. His legacy and memory will truly live on through all who loved him and/or learned from him.
The family received friends Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. Funeral services followed with Rev. Duane Minnick officiating. Graveside services followed in Mount Vale Community Cemetery, 3350 Meadow Creek Road, Galax.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or the American Heart Association.
The Combs family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
