J. H. McCombs, Jr.

James Henry “J. H.” McCombs, Jr., 88, of Morganton, NC, died on Monday, May 2, 2022.

He was born in Lexington, KY on January 22, 1934 to James Henry McCombs and Ursula Rutledge McCombs.  J. H. moved to Morganton at a young age when his father became the owner of Western Auto Store.

He attended Blue Ridge School for Boys in Hendersonville, NC for eight years and UNC Chapel Hill for four.

J. H. returned to Morganton after college, where he had multiple business interests.  He was married to the former Mary Louise Cornwell on May 9, 1954 and they had four children.

J. H. was a member of First United Methodist Church.  He was an avid golfer and belonged to Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club, Silver Creek Plantation, Linville Golf Club, and Grandfather Golf and Country Club.  He was an enthusiastic, loyal supporter of the football and basketball programs at UNC Chapel Hill, where he was a member of the Rams Club.  J. H. was a former board member of the Huffman Cornwell Foundation, where he was instrumental in establishing an endowment for the UNC Golf Team.

In addition to his parents, J. H. was preceded in death by his son, James Henry McCombs, III; brother-in-law, Martin Luther Corriher; and sister-in-law, Ann Cornwell Patton.

J. H. is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Cornwell McCombs; children, Mary Lou McCombs Hudspeth of Charlotte, Thomas Huffman McCombs of Morganton, and Julie Landrum McCombs Garner (Chip) of Acworth, GA; grandchildren, Mary Louise Rogers, Tommy Rogers, Callie McCombs, Julia McCombs, Ryan Cook (Brooke), Thomas McCombs (Kristen), Kevin McCombs (Liz), Hunter McCombs, William Garner, and Olivia Grace Garner; seven great-grandchildren; step-grandsons, Hal, Brad, and Mitchell Garner; sister, Patsy McCombs Corriher of Statesville; sister-in-law, Barbara Cornwell Norvell (Jerry); and Bobbie McCombs, the mother of his granddaughters, Callie and Julie.

J. H.’s family brought great pleasure to his life, and he was a devoted, generous father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He touched many lives in Morganton.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of the skilled nursing care at Grace Ridge Retirement Community, where he lived for the last seven years.  The love and care they gave to J. H. for the last five months of his life will be always be remembered and appreciated.

The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Forest Hill Cemetery.  A celebration of J. H.’s life will be held at noon on Tuesday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dana McKim officiating.  The family will greet friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, the Grace Ridge Endowment Fund at Grace Ridge Retirement Center, or to Amorem Hospice.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.