David Paul Combs, of Lompoc, California, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 84. His health had been strong and unwavering nearly his entire life, and even at the end, he faced only a brief illness — one that brought him little pain and even less suffering. Surrounded by his family, some at his bedside and others joined by phone so that none would be apart from him, David closed his eyes and went home to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and with his beloved Martha.

Born on September 28, 1941, in Moline, Illinois, David built his career as a General Contractor, constructing homes throughout Los Angeles County before moving his family to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1976. He continued building custom homes throughout Santa Barbara County in the years that followed. In 1978, he built a dream home for his wife in Solvang, California, where together they raised Morgan horses and built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and family.

David served side by side with his wife, Martha, in ministry for decades — leading youth groups, teaching classes, and helping build the church on the corner of North and 7th Street in Lompoc, with ground broken in the late 1970s. In the early 1990s, David and Martha started a church in Los Alamos, California, and in 1994 the couple moved to Lompoc to care for Martha's parents until their passing. David remained in Lompoc for the rest of his life, faithfully attending the same church he had helped build decades earlier. He loved reading his Bible and poetry, and in his final days, he longed most of all to be reunited with Martha and with Jesus.

Family was the center of David's life. He was one of eight children — four brothers and three sisters — and cherished his relationship with each of them. He loved hunting trips with his brothers and friends and treasured any time spent outdoors with the people he loved. He rarely missed a chance to watch his three sons growing up, cheering them on through baseball, football, soccer, basketball, and wrestling. He was healthy and self-sufficient to the very end, a testament to the steadiness that defined him.

David and Martha shared a marriage built on faith, partnership, and unwavering devotion, walking side by side through every season of life — from building a home and raising horses in Solvang, to planting a church in Los Alamos, to caring for family in Lompoc. When Martha passed away in March of 2026, a piece of David's heart went with her. In the months that followed, his family watched him hold to his faith, at peace and certain of where he was headed — to see his Lord, and to see her again.

David is survived by his three sons, Bryan Combs and his wife Marianne, Joseph Combs and his wife Darlene, and Kelly Combs and his wife Amy; six beloved grandchildren; and nine cherished great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters and his youngest brother, as well as a church family and community whose lives he touched over decades of service. He was preceded in death by his wife of many years, Martha Joe Combs, in March of 2026.

David's family wishes to thank Broadus-Raines Funeral Home of Green Cove Springs, Florida, for their care in preparing him for his return to California. Services will be entrusted to Starbuck-Lind Mortuary of Lompoc, California, who also cared for Martha earlier this year. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced at a later date.