Jack R. Coombs
John (“Jack”) Robert Coombs, age 87, devoted husband and loving father and grandfather, passed away from natural causes on March 2, 2014, six weeks after the death of his inseparable wife of 65 years, Margaret.
Jack was born in Salt Lake City on February 16, 1927, to Earl William Coombs of Gunnison, CO, and Mary Aline Carter of Beaver, UT. Raised here, he was elected president of his senior class at East High School, after which he attended the U of U and joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After one quarter, U.S. Senator Abe Murdock got him an appointment to Annapolis, but after traveling to Maryland, he was ineligible for a Navy commission due to uncorrectable myopia. Stranded on the East Coast, he joined the Merchant Marines for one trip to Antwerp, Belgium. Returning to Utah but not sure what to do, Jack joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Occupation Forces in Japan in the late 1940’s. Jack loved his time in Japan and enjoyed the Japanese people, their art and culture. A skilled boxer who prided his “left jab,” Jack lost but one fight, the Third Army Light Heavyweight Championship in the All Japan boxing tournament. After the Army, he returned to the U of U, where he met the true love of his life, Margaret Viko, at a sorority party. They were married in 1949 and began a family soon after.
Jack received a degree in Business Admin. from the U of U and felt lucky to find a job in 1950 as a stock salesman at JA Hogle & Company, a Salt Lake stock brokerage firm. The early 1950’s gave birth to The Uranium Boom, an era marked by the crazed search for uranium, much like a gold rush. With his stock background, Jack formed his own securities broker-dealer firm, Coombs & Company, which raised money through stock offerings for uranium exploration. In no time, it grew to open 8 offices in 4 states, including Washington DC. These were wild times in which virtually everyone owned a uranium stock. Jack is featured prominently in a book titled Uranium Frenzy.
When the Uranium Boom ended, Coombs & Co. closed its doors and Jack went to work for New York Life. With his insurance experience, Jack moved his family to Montreal, Canada, in 1966 to start his own insurance business. This was a daring endeavor, given Montreal’s French language and culture. By 1970, Jack and the family returned to Salt Lake and the stock business he loved. Always a wheeler-dealer, Jack spent the next 25 years helping promising private businesses become publicly traded through mergers with small public companies. He enjoyed investing his profits from these endeavors in railroad and other junk bonds. Over time, Jack became an astute investor in distressed corporate bonds, something he did almost exclusively during the latter years of his life.
Jack and Margaret traveled throughout the world during their rich and wonderful lives, experiencing the art, cuisine, and music of many cultures. They lived healthy and athletic lives, enjoying golf and tennis with friends and family. As longtime members of Saturday Night Dance Club, they were excellent ballroom dancers.
Jack was a true “people person,” making interesting conversation with strangers whenever the opportunity arose. He frequently had a twinkle in his eye. He was often mischievous, laughing or telling stories to friends and family. It was often hard to tell if he was kidding or serious. Always a gentleman and teacher to his children and grandchildren, Jack imparted his views on many topics, particularly business matters. All of his grandchildren have fond memories of activities with Grandpa Jack, as he taught them each to play golf, tennis and swim. They also recall playing competitive late night card games, Monopoly, and Backgammon.
Jack is preceded in death by older brothers, Bill, formerly of McLean, VA, and Richard who died as a child, and his wife, Margaret Viko Coombs. Survived by his daughters Kathleen Korkishko (Alex) and Dr. Rebecca Riley, and son, J. Michael Coombs (Dorothy), 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren.
A viewing and celebration of Jack’s life, where friends may call, will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, on Sunday, March 9 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Private family internment services will be held at Mt. Olivet the following day.
Many thanks to Proxie and AJ of Danville Support Services, and George, for their wonderful care, including Gentiva Hospice.