Obituaries

Ronald "Ron" Augustus Coombs

October 18, 1942 - June 11, 2022

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Obituary For Ronald "Ron" Augustus Coombs

We will call this announcement “Well, this is terrible news ... " (insert Ron's voice and tone here). To clarify, the news is only terrible to us.

It is with such a mixture of feelings that we let you know Ron Coombs (a.k.a. Dad, Fadder, G­Pa, Grandfadder, and Grampa), resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Bell Island, NL, left us on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the age of 79 years.

He passed away ever so peacefully and unexpectedly during his 13 day stay at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. He had a rotation of people who loved him by his side 24/7 - praying, joking, reminiscing, playing hymns, and card games. We are so thankful he lived his life to the fullest right up until four weeks ago when it was first discovered what his body had been dealing with for likely a long time. What a blessing he did not know and he could just "carry on as if normal" with his life.

Ron's story is one of redemption and sanctification - and there was a lot of sanctification required for this character! Ron knew where he was going and he was unwavering in his faith once he found it. This faith was a great source of peace for him right up until he passed.

Ron lived his life free of the chains of what others thought of him - either you "got" him and loved him, or you were offended by him, and he didn't really seem to care which camp you were in. He was a very skilled tradesman who used his gifts and talents to help and serve others. The mark of his blood, sweat, tears, sarcasm, jokes (inappropriate or otherwise), and a genuine love of Jesus, was left in the many places he travelled and with the people he met.

He has left a huge hole and he will be dearly missed by his wife Sheila Coombs (nee Nowlan); children: Marlene (Don) Coombs Roberts, Duane Coombs, Kevin (Trish) Coombs, and Rhonda (Henryk) Coombs Surowaniec; grandchildren: Sean Roberts, Sheena (Randy) Mitchell (nee Roberts), Alexandra Coombs, Annelise Coombs, Jeffrey (Stacy) Surowaniec, Jacob Surowaniec, Mathias Surowaniec, Hannah Surowaniec, Suzanne Coombs, and Liam Fris; great-grandchildren: Andreya Rose, Logan Mitchell, and Isabelle Surowaniec; as well as sister Marilyn Greeley.

He was predeceased by his parents Augustus Coombs and Emily Bickford Coombs; siblings: Jean Coombs Jenkins, Cyril Coombs, and Bernice Coombs Anstey; as well as great-grandson Dominique Roberts.

The family is so grateful for the wonderful care he received from the Staff on Unit 23 of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, Dr. Heugh, Dr. Barreth and the Palliative Care Nurse, Tanya. We are also so very thankful for those who have reached out through words of encouragement, prayer, acts of kindness, and through sharing stories of our beloved Ron. For those interested in attending the funeral, feel free to dress up like you remember Ron - he would love it!

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 5:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.).

A Livestream of the service will be accessible 15 minutes prior to the service on Ron’s obituary on Oliver’s Funeral Home website.

Memorial Donations may be made to the Pregnancy Care Centre Grande Prairie (P.O. Box 124, Stn Main, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 3A1), or to Youth with a Mission St. Marc, Haiti (P.O. Box 236, Akron, PA, 17501 (http://www.ywamstmarchaiti.org/donations/)), or to a charity of one’s choice.

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  • June 18, 2022

    Just watched the memorial service and were very moved. He and Sheila have certainly touched many lives. My (Margaret Pepper) fondest memories of Ron are when he sat behind me in our final year of high school on Bell Island. He was full of stories every day and told them with great wit. We reconnected with Ron and Sheila when they lived in Labrador City and in later years via a couple of visits to their home in Alberta. Rest in peace, Ron. Sincere condolences to the family. Bob and Margaret Martin

  • June 18, 2022

    So sorry for your loss. I remember all the visits when you came to the East Coast. One special memory that will bring a smile to your face is when my Uncle Russell passed I asked Ron if they flew here and he said "Yes but man my arms got tired when I got around Toronto area". Greg Shaffer

  • June 18, 2022

    Thinking of all the family today as you bid farewell to your husband, dad, father-in-law, uncle, or grandpa. He was your someone special and will forever be in your hearts and memories. Cathy Hitchon

  • June 18, 2022

    Dear Sheila and family. It was wonderful to share with you some memories the other evening. Susan and I have been blessed to call you friends since the Elgin days. You will stand in our prayers. I'm sure the Lord will bless you and keep you Num.6:24-26. As I think of these vs. I remember Ron"s first response always in our phone calls as to how you are. Ron, "She's still a keeper'. Blessings

  • June 18, 2022

    I will always have fond memories of Ron. So sorry for your loss. Hope Bob and Ron are having a great chat. Dianne Craig

  • June 16, 2022

    Very sorry to hear the sad news of a working friendRon, who i worked with at the Petro Canada Wapiti field. I have lots of happy memories working with Ron.May you rest in peace my dear friend.Bill Wilson

  • June 16, 2022

    Thinking of you in your time of loss. Many prayers for the family. I would like to share a funny moment I had with Ron. I was at 55A Cafe with Mark Street standing in line waiting to be served. I didn't see Ron approach but he came up to say hello to Mark. When he stuck out his hand to shake Mark's, I thought I would be funny and jumped between them and stuck out my hand to shake Ron's. Ron didn't miss a beat, his expression never changed, he took my hands and started waltzing with me right there in the line up. He was a bigger guy but rather light on his feet! We had a good chuckle about that. I am sorry I didn't get to know him more. He had a great sense of humour. I look forward to dancing with him again in eternity. God keep you and may his peace comfort you all.

  • June 16, 2022

    Dear Sheila and family. We were so sorry to hear of Ron's passing. He was a wonderful man who I know you will miss dearly. The memories in your heart will remain forever. Love Bonnie and Clint.

  • June 16, 2022

    Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear."~ Unknown Ron was a great source of joy to our family and will always be remembered by his a.k.a. "Sam" to us!

  • June 16, 2022

    Our deepest condolences to Sheila and Families, also Marilyn and families. Vina Blundell & Jack Ronan

  • June 15, 2022

    I met Ron in my first week working at Petro Can. He was the fellow that toured me around the Valhalla Oil field. I quickly learned he had the same twisted sense of humour as I do. He made every visit out to the field so much fun and I always learned something. He was a rare soul, anytime I met him in town he always had time for a visit. He will be missed by so many. My heart goes out to Sheila and Rhonda.💕💕💕💕

  • June 15, 2022

    Dear Sheila, Rhonda and families, we are so sorry for your loss. But we know he is up in heaven giving someone a hard time. We enjoyed him very much and know he will leave a big hole in your lives. May God comfort you all and give you his peace.💕🙏🏻

  • June 15, 2022

    My deepest condolence to Marilyn, Vic & family. .Also condolence to Ron's family My he RIP. Doreen (Hammond) Van Humbeck .

  • June 15, 2022

    Marilyn, Vic and family, so sorry to hear of your Brother's passing. Sending my Deepest Condolences, keeping you all in my prayers.

  • June 15, 2022

    Dear Sheila and family, so sorry for your loss. I remember good times we had at Pierre Grey lake. Also the time Ron stayed with us while the kids finished school in Fox Creek. I will say a special prayer of comfort for all of you.

  • June 15, 2022

    Marylyn and family and Bernice and family s sorry to hear of Ron's passing . May he rest in peace

  • June 15, 2022

    Year's, distance and life has robbed me of the memories of spending time with Uncle Rod and Aunt Sheila. But my fondest memory of them is when I was small. Aunt Shelia took us to see Uncle Ron driving the Streetcar on Lakeshore. I was proud to tell to the other kids My Uncle drives the Red Rocket. He will be deeply missed ❤️🌹

  • June 15, 2022

    Marilyn and Vic and Family, So sorry to hear the news of your brother Ron's passing. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you during this very Difficult time. Sincere Condolences Linda and David Young

  • June 15, 2022

    Ron was a constant encouraging friend to my dad(Ed Fredrickson) Sending prayers of comfort to your family.

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