Thomas "Levi" Combs
August 18, 2016
Thomas Levi Combs, known simply as Levi, left his earthly life on August 18, 2016.
A visitation will be on Tuesday, August 23rd from 5 to 7 pm at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home 121 NW 60th, Des Moines, IA 50313 and a funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 24th at 10 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 721 E 1st Street, Ankeny, IA 50021.
He was born October 29th, 1974, in Las Cruces, New Mexico to Charles and Terri Combs. He spent most of his childhood in Ridgecrest, CA.
Levi always had an insatiable desire to learn and discover new things. His desire for learning paved his way into three very different career paths. During his early adulthood, Levi worked in IT. He took a break from his job to travel and live in Indonesia for 9 months. It was there that he learned of people and saw much suffering. This experience changed Levi’s life profoundly. When he came back stateside, he moved up to Alaska and worked for an airline so that he could travel and see more of the world. He knew this was not his ultimate career passion, but it gave him the opportunity to see the world. Levi lived in Alaska for 7 years and in 2008, came down to Iowa to stay with some friends while recovering from a knee surgery. In early 2009, he met his wife to be and was married in June 2010 becoming not just a wonderful husband, but also the loving father to two daughters. It was during this time period that Levi decided to get into the health care field. His ultimate goal was to get the education and experience he needed so that he could live in a place without adequate medical care and help those less fortunate.
Levi was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where as with everything else in his life, he tried to exemplify the teachings of Jesus Christ and learn to serve and love his neighbors. He often used the term neighbor (or friend) when talking with new people so that he could remember to ”Love thy neighbor as thyself”.
For fun, Levi enjoyed traveling, often taking his family on last minute adventures all over the Midwest and as often as he could out west to be with his siblings and parents. He also enjoyed listening and watching baseball and hockey, which are about the only two things he could sometimes sit still to watch.
Levi is survived by his beloved wife, Nicole and daughters Emily and Elizabeth; his loving parents, Charles and Terri Combs; Grandfather Berton Andreasen; his siblings, Cassie King (Jeff), Sarah Muhn (Sam), Matthew Combs (Eudelia) and Isaac Combs (Josh Houlet); mother in law Jeannie Swanson (Larry Dungy) and father in law Charles S. Crook III, and many other extended family members. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Beth Andreasen.
Levi’s zest for life and his love for his family will stand forever in our hearts. He is a good man, but if you told him that, he would say he was “just a dude”.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Colby Giudicessi
08/21/2016
They don't make to many people like Levi. I cannot express how amazing it was to have such a hard working team player come and work in the ER. He truly blessed us with his presence and ever willingness to please patients, and fellow co-workers. He will truly be missed and he touch countless lives.
Pat Howarth
08/20/2016
Nicole, Life takes many twists and turns with God at the wheel. Only He knows the plan for those we love and lose too early. Zig Ziglar said "If there were no love their would be no grief".Your mom is there for you let her help and grieve with you. Remember God has a plan for you and the girls just trust in Him but take time to grieve Levi's death its truly a process. God bless you and your family.
Laura Terry
08/20/2016
I am so saddened by the loss of Levi. My thoughts go out to his family. I will always remember our seal and eskimo ice cream meal that Levi made our family. He was a fun guy and a good friend. I wish we had stayed in contact more. Hugs and prayers to Nicole and the girls.
Jackie
08/20/2016
I was so blessed to know Levi. I got to help him learn (didnt have to help him to much) in both his CNA classes. He would help his fellow students with providing care in a loving professional manner. Was so excited when he joined the N4 family and would float down to work on N3 with me. Having Levi around-you knew it was going to be a great day. His love for his wife and children showed with all he did. He will be greatly missed here on earth but heaven is celebrating having a new angel
Regina
08/19/2016
I remember when Levi started as an agency tech on N4. We knew right away that he belonged with our N4 family. Levi touched many with his generosity and aspirations of learning everything he could to care for his patients. He was a go to person for support whether it be lifting patients or even venting about your day.
To his wife and girls- he loved you with all his heart and spoke of you often so sorry for your loss
Michelle
08/19/2016
Levi is one of the most amazing individuals I have ever met. I not only had the privilege of working with him but also had the opportunity to take classes with him at DMACC. He is someone who push's you to do better without even knowing it. He is one of the most caring and kind person I have ever met. I'm so blessed to have had him in my life and he has inspired me to do better at all I can do to help people. God has definitely got one of the most amazing people on his side right now. Well done Levi you will truly be missed by many.
Dawn
08/19/2016
Levi was one of the most excellent men you could ever hope to meet. I'd walk into work, see Levi, know it was gonna be a great day. Smart, inquisitive, compassionate. Levi never waited for someone to ask for help, he would seek them out. As a mother of boys, he is the kind of man I want to raise. Levi, I have no doubt that God is holding you on his lap right now and saying "well done, my child, you showed my love to the world!
Rebekah
08/19/2016
It was a great thing to walk in to work and see that you'd be working alongside Levi that day. The way he treated his patients was genuine, caring, and endlessly patient and was a great example to some of us nurses who tend to forget why we do this job. There was one specific instance as well where Levi was talking about his wife while we were cleaning a room and his words were so loving and tender it was clear that the personality we all knew and loved was not only part of his work life but translated to every area of his life. Levi, it was a pleasure to work with you and you certainly made an impact on everyone in the ER.
Kat
08/19/2016
Levi floated to us in the ER one weekend on a whim, and immediately became such an asset to us! His eagerness to learn and help in any way possible was completely admired by all of us. Just last weekend he brought a bundle of peanut butter cups and placed them for everyone to enjoy all around the ER. When I saw him come in on a shift, I knew the night would run smoothly. He wasn't afraid to speak up, ask questions, or get in there and do the work that I didn't even know the doctor had ordered, at times. It seemed that his heart was so big that he even wanted to resolve tensions between his floor, the ICU and our ER. Sending kind notes and candies through the tube station when he worked on N4. His personality was kind, sweet, gentle, and friendly. He was outstanding with our patients and our staff. He spoke of his lovely family even in the short time I knew him. To this family of his, know you are loved. I am so saddened by this and wish for you some peace. A beautiful soul. A huge loss to this world.
Sue
08/19/2016
I have worked with Levi since he started with the agency and stayed with us. We shared height, baseball and our love of gummy bears. Mostly we shared our love of our families and taking care of our patients. Levi would do whatever we asked him without complaint and always had a compliment or a thanks for a great night before we left in the morning. I hope he knew how much we loved and respected him. To his wife and daughters- I lost my dad unexpectedly in March and Levi was so supportive. I feel your pain and I pray you can find peace in how much he meant to everyone he worked with. God bless you these coming weeks and months. I will miss him.
Desi
08/19/2016
I worked with Levi since he first started at the hospital, and since the start whenever I worked with him he was always a bright part of my day. He was so high energy, and was always so positive in life. I cant tell you how much the patients just adored him, and I did too. He was a wonderful listener, and was always putting others before himself. He was one proud father, and loved sharing stories about how great his family was. He appreciated life, and is truly an inspiration to me. I will miss seeing his happy face at work. My heart is breaking, and the hospital just wont be quite as bright without him. Everyone here considered him family! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Amanda
08/19/2016
Levi was more then just a co-worker, he was a true friend and would do anything for anyone!! He never had a bad thing to say about anyone...Levi was definitely a glass half full kinda guy!!! He would go out of his way to show he appreciated everyone he worked with and was always so positive!! His eyes just lit up every time he talked about his daughters and his wife!! Sending my thoughts and prayers to his wife and daughters and those who were lucky and blessed to have known him over the years!
Pam and Wayne
08/19/2016
Words can only begin to express how we are feeling right now. Levi always would bring a smile to my face. A wonderful person is he! Our thoughts and prayers for Nicole, Elizabeth and Emily. We love you all.
Annette
08/19/2016
My heart is heavy, Levi you were so loved and will be missed greatly! To his wife and daughters I'm so very sorry for your loss, he spoke of his family with a twinkle in his eye and a big smile on his face!!