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
Elizabeth
01/19/2025
Hey dad. Is me. I miss you. It’s been long to be without you. I’m 20. I’m grown up. Everyday I don’t go a day without thinking about my best friend. My zoo keeper. My rock. My everything. I miss you so so so so so so so much. I miss you more than words can even speak. I miss you so much and I wish you were here so I could give you the biggest hug in the world. You are my best friend. Am I scared about how life will work? Yes. Am I doing okay? Yes. I know you are angel watching down on me. I know you are away a there. I just got back into Ankeny. I broke down at your grave missing you so much. It’s been to fuckin long. I’m sorry for cussing but it hurts so hard not having you here. You taught me so much and I carry that with me everyday of my life. I love you and I miss you so much. I wish you could come back. I wish you you could just give me the cuddles and hangs we used to share. All I wish is for one more hug. You are my best friend. I will forever live on ur memory. Love you dad.❤️❤️❤️
Elizabeth
12/21/2021
This man was and is my dad my best friend my zoo keeper while I was his little monkey. Its been 5 years without him and I am finally writing about him. My dad was such a sweetheart. My mom tells me so many stories about him still to this day. I remember bringing cookies and little treats to him with my mom when he was working long days to him and his coworkers. Every time I was there he had a smile on his face. Yes the job was hard but he loved helping people so much that he didnt care about how hard it was. we got this is something he always said and I keep that with me throughout my days still. I miss the cuddles on the couch watching save by the bell, and playing with Winston and him singing the good morning song to him. I bet he is playing with Winston in heaven right now. With the short amount of years I had with my dad. He has taught me so much and I will be graduating high school soon and I still keep to heart the things he taught me and share them with people. God gave me a gift and now an angel looking down at me everyday making sure Im safe and watching me grow up. We all miss you so much dad. I will be waiting for the day when God lets me be with you again. I am so thankful for being able to be sealed to you. I love you so much
Anonymous
08/30/2016
You were who you are and you did what you have done. Simply put...you were Levi and that is why you are so loved and so missed.
You are in a better place now joined with loved ones who have gone before you. I can only imagine the love and joy you felt when seeing loved ones with outstretched arms eager to embrace you.
We love you Levi.
Bud Biery
08/27/2016
What a joy to know Levi. From that gangly teenager that showed up at our home, to his friendship with our son Paul throughout the years, and his forever happy personality. He left us too young and will be forever missed by our family. Condolences to his extended family.
Cecile Biery
08/26/2016
Our son, Paul, became friends with Levi in high school and they remained close friends until Levi's untimely death. What adventures they shared. Levi spent so much time in our house that he became one of the family and referred to me as his "other mother". He persuaded me to allow Paul to visit him in Indonesia and then shared, by mail, their once in a lifetime experiences. I love Levi and I will miss him. I send my heartfelt sympathy to his wife, daughters and parents. May he rest in peace in the arms of the Lord.
Dr. Brad de Geus, D.C. & Susan de Geus
08/24/2016
We are so saddened by your loss. It is always a tragedy when a young person's life is shortened unexpectedly. Terry and Chuck we are thinking of you both. Brad and Susan
Ann Hill
08/24/2016
Sorry for your loss prayers for his family Terry and Chuck and the rest of the family
Jeannie Swanson
08/24/2016
Words can not begin to express what a wonderful person Levi is. I know he is still with us, watching over "his girls". He is so much more than just a dude....he is kind, considerate, polite, generous, loving and giving. This time on earth was way too short, but he left a strong message....be kind and generous to all. I love you, my favorite Son In Law.
Sue & Chuck Jones
08/24/2016
we so sorry for your lost, may you fine the peace and know that God had other plans for him in Heaven he well be miss we all look forward to the day when we well see are love ones that have gone on before us and what a family reunion that well be
pfl
08/24/2016
My condolences to the Combs family on the passing away of your loved one. True comfort comes in knowing that God does not cause our death. Hebrews 2:14 tells us the source of death. May you be comforted in knowing that God (Psalms 83:18) hates death and promises to eliminate death forever and bring the dead back to life on a cleansed earth. (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:3,4; Acts 24:15)
Robin
08/24/2016
Levi! What a great man he was! I have only know Levi for just a short time, but it feels like I have known him for years! He certainly was a kindred soul! He had a love of taking care of others! When we would be busy on N4, his famous last words were "we got this!' My thoughts and prayers go out to Levi's family, he will be truly missed! He touched so many lives by just being Levi! Levi lived his life to the fullest! May your memories of him bring you peace! He was one of a kind! I feel very blessed that our lives crossed paths!
Your Dad
08/24/2016
Oh Levi, my Levi! There is not enough space on this webpage for all of the things I could say. We will embrace again one of these days and pick up right where we left off. Until then, I will try to be as good a man as you are.
Jay & Ina Butterworth
08/24/2016
We are so sorry for your loss. We hope you feel our love and prayers for you at this time. Hugs.
Marianne Lew
08/24/2016
We are so sorry for your loss. We remember him and your family so fondly. Sending much love and prayers at this time.
Donita
08/23/2016
I worked weekend nights with Levi. he will be missed. He was always so positive. On a very busy night I remember him saying "we got this". He always had a smile, willing to help, and compliment for others work. To his wife and daughters I'm so sorry for your loss.