Vernon Mars Combes

Mars Combes was born February 22nd, 1935 in Liberal Kansas and passed away peacefully in his home in La Veta surrounded by his family on March 26th, 2018.

In 1945, his family moved to Boise City, Oklahoma where he grew up and attended school. Mars excelled in school and sports, going on to later graduate and become valedictorian in 1953.
After high school, Mars attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence to study engineering.
Upon leaving KU, he was drafted into the United States Army. After his return from the army, he became the foreman for the family owned Star Lumber Company.

On NYE of 1958, Mars met who would later become the love of his life, Carol Blakely of Clayton, NM. They shared a NYE kiss and started dating shortly after. Five short months later, Mars and Carol were married in Clayton, NM on May 24th, 1959.

After getting married, Mars and Carol moved back to Boise City, where Mars continued his foreman job at the Star Lumber Company. He also served as the Fire Chief and was an active member of the rotary club. In the coming years, Mars and Carol had two daughters, Melissa and Cindy.

Being an original Cuchara Kid would play an important role in Mars’s life, as in 1972 Mars and Carol would move their family to the long time summer home of Mars in the Cuchara Valley. With Carol by his side, Mars would then start his own company, Spanish Peaks Construction, and go on to build well over 100 cabins and homes in the Cuchara Valley. As Mars would say, one of his greatest strokes of luck was going over to the Forbes Ranch in search of work, and would receive the privilege of doing multiple jobs for Malcolm and Kip Forbes. Over the years, Mars and Carol would acquire multiple businesses, including Cuchara and La Veta cable TV, Valley Hardware with his sister and brother in law, and two gift shops, most notably The Bears Den in Cuchara in 1992. Mars also served on the Cuchara water district board and the La Veta School Board.

Mars had many loves in life. He longed for the leaves to change, and the chill in the air, for that meant hunting season was upon him. Mars cherished every moment in the woods. Harvest or not, being immersed in Gods creation was a success to him. He also enjoyed playing cards with his wife and friends, always being the life of the party.

One of Mars greatest loves was following his three grandsons, Cory, Kelby, and Casey. The number of miles put on watching all their sporting events are countless, and the number of events he missed could be counted on one single hand. From Colorado to Missouri, Nebraska to Kansas, Mars could be found watching his three grandkids. Not only was he loved by the boys, but made lasting impacts on the other kids and parents, always going out of his way to say hi and give words of encouragement. Mars teemed with enthusiasm and life, and had this way about him that would change the presence of a room. He was vibrant and dynamic, and hardly ever went anywhere without a smile on his face.

Mars was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Mars Combes, mother Genevieve Larrabee Combes, and brother in law Herbert Blakely. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carol Blakely Combes, his daughters Melissa (Dave) Fassiotto and Cindy Combes, his 3 grandkids, Cory (Aubrey) Fassiotto, Casey (Sarah) Fassiotto, Kelby Fassiotto, his sister Lottie (Louie) Hastings, two sister in laws, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral service will be hold on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in La Veta at 11 a.m. visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. also at the church. Burial will follow at the La Veta Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.