Edward McCombs

Ed had a long life, enriched by his love of family, friends and travel. Born to Elmer and Lila McCombs, Ed grew up working on his family’s Turlock dairy farm. Ed enjoyed telling stories about the challenges and pleasures of his youth. Ed graduated from Turlock High and went on to Modesto Junior College, where he met Nell Quigley, beginning a life-long romance. They married in 1954, while students at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1956.

Family was the center of his life. The first of 3 daughters, Kathy was born in Walnut Creek, followed by Linda and Allison in Yuba City, where he began his career in city management. A life-long desire to experience the world was realized in 1967 when Ed became a Peace Corps administrator, and he and Nell moved with their young daughters to Sarawak, Malaysia. Afterwards, the McCombs family travelled throughout Europe, camping in a VW van, and settled in Ventura in 1970. 

Ed was city manager of Ventura for a decade, and among his accomplishments was preservation of the county court house as the new City Hall. Under his leadership the city staff developed a true camaraderie.

Exploring the world and giving back to others, Ed and Nell moved in 1981 to Nigeria, where Ed worked on a World Bank project in agricultural development, work he continued in Lesotho. During this time in Africa Ed and Nell climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and found a passion for game watching. 

Ed and Nell travelled the world visiting 113 countries, game watching in Africa, South America, and Asia. An avid backpacker and fly fisherman in California’s Sierra Nevada, Ed and Nell hiked the John Muir Trail in 1992, summiting Mt. Whitney. In 1992 he and Nell trekked in Nepal and Bhutan. Sharing their love of travel with their family, including 3 sons-in-law and 6 grandchildren, Nell and Ed took everyone on safaris in Africa and the Galapagos Islands, exploring their culture and natural history.

Ed continued his service as a devoted Rotary member and involvement with the Ventura Port District.

Ed loved to say that he was in “tall clover” and his happiness with life continued throughout. His inspirational life is remembered, celebrated, and honored by his sister Mary, daughters Kathy, Linda and Allison; sons-in-law Wayne, Mark, and Tom; and 6 grandchildren and their partners. The family is thankful for the excellent and loving care given to Ed by the staff of AEGIS and Assisted Home Health and Hospice towards the end of his life.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Poinsettia Pavilion on August 18, 2 pm. If you want to contribute in his memory, we suggest the Julian Guiss Fund of the Rotary Club of Ventura, P.O. Box 2100 Ventura, CA 93002, or the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, 1280 South Victoria Avenue. Suite. 240, Ventura, CA 93003. 

                                                                                               Slideshow of Ed's life