Official Obituary of
Darrel Frederick Coombs
June 5, 1937 ~ April 22, 2015 (age 77) 77 Years Old
Darrel Coombs Obituary
Darrel Frederick Coombs Obituary
Darrel "Satch" Coombs of Philipsburg, MT passed away on the morning of April 22, 2015 at Granite County Medical Center. He was 77.
Darrel was born in Deer Lodge, MT on June 5th 1937 to Hazel Lebert and Fred Coombs. He later moved to Three Forks where he graduated from high school in 1956. During his years at Three Forks High, Darrel was known as "Satch" Lebert, after taking his stepfather Carl Lebert's last name. Before going to college, Darrel joined the US Navy and spent 4 years in California working as a medical technician. After his discharge from the Navy, he came back to Montana and attended Western Montana College from 1960 until 1965, where he graduated with a degree in teaching. During his years attending Western, Darrel worked summers in Three Forks where he met and later married his lifelong partner, Connie Gooselaw. He took his first teaching job in Judith Gap, MT in 1965 where he taught history and biology for 14 years. While teaching in the Gap, Darrel was awarded a fellowship to attend school and earn credits at the University of Pakistan in 1973. During this same period, Darrel joined the Army National Guard, earning an E7 ranking, eventually retiring from the Guards after 17 years of service. In 1979, he accepted a teaching position and moved with his family to Philipsburg, MT where he taught at Granite County High School until he eventually retired in 1993.
Darrel's life was full of adventures and stories. He lived his life to the fullest, believing "If you were going to go into the cave, you had to see the bear." During his childhood, he spent days and weeks exploring the woods along the banks of the Jefferson River on the outskirts of Three Forks. During his adolescence, he sold newspapers to passengers riding the Milwaukee R.R. passenger train, the Hiawatha, hoping to gain enough pocket-change to get to the local theatre to catch a movie. "Satch" was especially proud of his 1956 Class "C" basketball team that made it to the state championship game, where they lost to Belgrade. During his teens he spent hours swimming in the Three Forks "pits." He spent years helping his mother and grandmother, Melinda Houston, prep the Bunk House for the traveling railroaders. He loved his grandmother dearly.
As a teacher, Darrel was impactful and charismatic. He helped shape the lives of hundreds of students throughout his 28 year teaching career. His ability to connect with students from all walks of life was a gift. He was well respected and admired by the students he taught, athletes he coached, and was a true pillar in his community. It was common for former students to look him up and pay him a visit to express their gratitude for giving them such great guidance over the years. Mr. "C" was a true mentor.
Darrel had an amazing capacity for storytelling and historical recall. He was always eager to share a colorful story from his life or a history lesson; long after the text books had closed. He loved the singer Frankie Laine, old movies, and motorcycles.
Throughout his life, Darrel always had a profound love of animals. He was especially fond of his dogs Friday, Mandy, Max, Lulu, Marley, Dew Dog and Paradise.
Darrel will be missed around the poker tables of S.W. Montana. Poker was a game he loved ever since he learned to play in the Navy as a young man. Darrel made friends everywhere he went and he will be missed by many.
After losing his eye sight over 10 years ago, his loyal wife Connie was his constant caretaker, for which Darrel was eternally grateful. During this time Connie had the idea to introduce him to audio books, to keep his mind active and sharp. He listened to over 6,000 audio books in the last decade of his life.
Darrel is survived by his wife of 52 years Connie Coombs (Philipsburg); son Doug Coombs (Debbie) Manhattan; son Joe Coombs (Emily) Bozeman; niece Nicky Todorovich (Scott) Helena; niece Natalie Woolard (Spokane); Mary and Don Stockburger (Three Forks), Doug Gooselaw (Bozeman); nephew Greg Stockburger (Susan) Three Forks; niece Joyce Dobb (Steve) Sheridan; Jerry Short (Sandi) Gillette,WY; Joan Holzer (Mike) Gillette, WY; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Darrel was preceded in death by his first wife Margaret Scyphers; mother Hazel Lebert; stepfather Carl Lebert; father and mother in law Lawrence and Lorraine Gooselaw; father Fred Coombs; Robert and Francis Short; and Dick, Lois, Valerie and Wayne Heuring.
All services, except for burial, will take place at St. Philips Catholic Church in Philipsburg, beginning on Sunday evening April 26th with a viewing from 6-7 pm, followed by the Vigil at 7 pm. Services will continue on Monday April 27th with a viewing from 10-11am, followed by a memorial service at 11am and a church luncheon. Burial, including military honors, will take place later that day at 4:00 pm in Three Forks, at the Fairview Cemetery. All who knew and loved Darrel are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice of Butte, Montana in Darrel's memory.
The Coombs family would like to express our deep appreciation for the wonderful care that Darrel received from the Granite County Nursing Home and Rocky Mountain Hospice Staff.
Philipsburg, MT 59858
Philipsburg, MT 59858
Philipsburg, MT 59858
Philipsburg, MT 59858
Three Forks, MT
Darrel "Satch" Coombs of Philipsburg, MT passed away on the morning of April 22, 2015 at Granite County Medical Center. He was 77.
Darrel was born in Deer Lodge, MT on June 5th 1937 to Hazel Lebert and Fred Coombs. He later moved to Three Forks where he graduated from high school in 1956. During his years at Three Forks High, Darrel was known as "Satch" Lebert, after taking his stepfather Carl Lebert's last name. Before going to college, Darrel joined the US Navy and spent 4 years in California working as a medical technician. After his discharge from the Navy, he came back to Montana and attended Western Montana College from 1960 until 1965, where he graduated with a degree in teaching. During his years attending Western, Darrel worked summers in Three Forks where he met and later married his lifelong partner, Connie Gooselaw. He took his first teaching job in Judith Gap, MT in 1965 where he taught history and biology for 14 years. While teaching in the Gap, Darrel was awarded a fellowship to attend school and earn credits at the University of Pakistan in 1973. During this same period, Darrel joined the Army National Guard, earning an E7 ranking, eventually retiring from the Guards after 17 years of service. In 1979, he accepted a teaching position and moved with his family to Philipsburg, MT where he taught at Granite County High School until he eventually retired in 1993.
Darrel's life was full of adventures and stories. He lived his life to the fullest, believing "If you were going to go into the cave, you had to see the bear." During his childhood, he spent days and weeks exploring the woods along the banks of the Jefferson River on the outskirts of Three Forks. During his adolescence, he sold newspapers to passengers riding the Milwaukee R.R. passenger train, the Hiawatha, hoping to gain enough pocket-change to get to the local theatre to catch a movie. "Satch" was especially proud of his 1956 Class "C" basketball team that made it to the state championship game, where they lost to Belgrade. During his teens he spent hours swimming in the Three Forks "pits." He spent years helping his mother and grandmother, Melinda Houston, prep the Bunk House for the traveling railroaders. He loved his grandmother dearly.
As a teacher, Darrel was impactful and charismatic. He helped shape the lives of hundreds of students throughout his 28 year teaching career. His ability to connect with students from all walks of life was a gift. He was well respected and admired by the students he taught, athletes he coached, and was a true pillar in his community. It was common for former students to look him up and pay him a visit to express their gratitude for giving them such great guidance over the years. Mr. "C" was a true mentor.
Darrel had an amazing capacity for storytelling and historical recall. He was always eager to share a colorful story from his life or a history lesson; long after the text books had closed. He loved the singer Frankie Laine, old movies, and motorcycles.
Throughout his life, Darrel always had a profound love of animals. He was especially fond of his dogs Friday, Mandy, Max, Lulu, Marley, Dew Dog and Paradise.
Darrel will be missed around the poker tables of S.W. Montana. Poker was a game he loved ever since he learned to play in the Navy as a young man. Darrel made friends everywhere he went and he will be missed by many.
After losing his eye sight over 10 years ago, his loyal wife Connie was his constant caretaker, for which Darrel was eternally grateful. During this time Connie had the idea to introduce him to audio books, to keep his mind active and sharp. He listened to over 6,000 audio books in the last decade of his life.
Darrel is survived by his wife of 52 years Connie Coombs (Philipsburg); son Doug Coombs (Debbie) Manhattan; son Joe Coombs (Emily) Bozeman; niece Nicky Todorovich (Scott) Helena; niece Natalie Woolard (Spokane); Mary and Don Stockburger (Three Forks), Doug Gooselaw (Bozeman); nephew Greg Stockburger (Susan) Three Forks; niece Joyce Dobb (Steve) Sheridan; Jerry Short (Sandi) Gillette,WY; Joan Holzer (Mike) Gillette, WY; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Darrel was preceded in death by his first wife Margaret Scyphers; mother Hazel Lebert; stepfather Carl Lebert; father and mother in law Lawrence and Lorraine Gooselaw; father Fred Coombs; Robert and Francis Short; and Dick, Lois, Valerie and Wayne Heuring.
All services, except for burial, will take place at St. Philips Catholic Church in Philipsburg, beginning on Sunday evening April 26th with a viewing from 6-7 pm, followed by the Vigil at 7 pm. Services will continue on Monday April 27th with a viewing from 10-11am, followed by a memorial service at 11am and a church luncheon. Burial, including military honors, will take place later that day at 4:00 pm in Three Forks, at the Fairview Cemetery. All who knew and loved Darrel are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice of Butte, Montana in Darrel's memory.
The Coombs family would like to express our deep appreciation for the wonderful care that Darrel received from the Granite County Nursing Home and Rocky Mountain Hospice Staff.
Visitation
APR 26. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (MDT)
St. Philips Catholic ChurchPhilipsburg, MT 59858
Vigil
APR 26. 7:00 PM (MDT)
St. Philips Catholic ChurchPhilipsburg, MT 59858
Visitation
APR 27. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (MDT)
St. Philips Catholic ChurchPhilipsburg, MT 59858
Mass of Christian Burial
APR 27. 11:00 AM (MDT)
St. Philips Catholic ChurchPhilipsburg, MT 59858
Burial
APR 27. 4:00 PM (MDT)
Fairview CemeteryThree Forks, MT
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