Junior Claud Combs

Junior Claud Combs of Spokane, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the age of 86. He is preceded in death by his parents, Claud Oliver Combs and Dorothy Dean (Thurman). He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Virginia Gale (Glossip), his son Terry Gene Combs and daughter-in-law Tina (Adams) of Ozark, Missouri, his granddaughter Sophia Claire (Combs) McClung and her husband Nick McClung of Sparta, Missouri, great-grandchildren Zander and Brayden McClung, daughter Pamela Gale Combs, son-in-law Michael Madden, and grandson Riley Mikale Madden. He is also survived by his brother Jerry Combs, sister-in-law Jean (Ware), and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Junior was born February 26, 1939, in Forsyth, Missouri. At the early age of 13, he began driving a truck for Vernon Hudson's lumber yard in Forsyth, delivering building supplies. When his parents opened "Combs Trading Post" in Highlandville, he continued trucking for them.

In 1957, Junior graduated from Spokane High School and shortly thereafter, Moler Barber College in Kansas City, Missouri. He married Virginia Gale in 1959, and for nearly twenty years they owned and operated "Combs Barber Shop" located on National Avenue just south of East Kearney Street in Springfield, Missouri.

Pursuing an interest in government, Junior moved his family to Christian County in the 70's and in 1978 he ran for and was elected to the office of Clerk of the County Commission. He held that office until he retired in 2001. He was Vice President of the Missouri Association of Counties and received various awards for outstanding leadership while holding public office. He was among the first County Clerks in Missouri and the first in Southwest Missouri to implement voting scanners to tabulate election ballots. Junior believed his county office belonged to the residents of Christian County and was always interested in hearing their input.

An avid sportsman, Junior was a star basketball player in high school, then became an outstanding pitcher in Triple A fast pitch softball. Later in life, he enjoyed USTA tennis and participated in many tournaments throughout Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa.

Junior loved the outdoors. He raised and trained bird dogs and beagles, and enjoyed hunting with his family.

What Junior will be remembered for most, however was his love of horses. Throughout his life, he broke, trained, and showed Fox Trotters. He and Virginia enjoyed traveling with their horses and riding the trails in many states. In 2013, Junior, was inducted into the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA) Hall of Fame.

Junior Combs will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

Services will be held, 11:00 am, Saturday, June 21, 2025 in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, Missouri with Pastor Jamie Bilyeu officiating. A visitation will be held just prior to services at 10:00 am with burial taking place in Highlandville Cemetery.