Page 55 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2025 - Online Magazine

HONORING SMALL BUSINESSES

In February 2023, Kevin rejoined the day-to-day operations
of overseeing Combest Family Funeral Homes and
Crematory. By the Lord’s good graces, I was able to rejoin
the business as well in April 2024. Together, we continue
working every day, meeting the needs of the families we
are blessed to serve.

Outside of our day-to-day life in the funeral business,
Kevin was appointed by Governor Abbott in 2019 as a
Commissioner for the Texas Funeral Service Commission
where he continues to serve today. He has been a licensed
funeral director and embalmer for 30 years, a certified
crematory operator for almost 25 years, and earned his
CFSP (certified funeral service practitioner) designation in
opened Venue on Broadway in 2015 and shortly thereafter 2012.
acquired the vacant business between the two buildings I have been a licensed funeral director since 2013 and
expanding our growth with a courtyard parking lot. This earned my CFSP designation in 2021. I served as co-chair
facility has allowed us the opportunity to expand our for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the past two years
serving capabilities with catering, large visitations, and a and currently serve on the Panhandle Funeral Directors
280-capacity auditorium. Association board and various committees for the Texas

While our history in West Texas runs deep, it’s our Funeral Directors Association.
commitment to the community and the people we serve Kevin and I hope you enjoyed learning more about the
that sets us apart. Our compassion and heartfelt empathy Combests. When you lose a family member, it’s comforting
allow us to listen, serve, and respect the integrity of loved to know you can turn to another family for support. At
ones while fulfilling their wishes. We offer a wide range Combest Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, we want
of funeral and cremation options to honor your loved to Build Relationships for Life.
one from full traditional service with burial, graveside
committal, or a cremation service customized to the needs
of your family. Kevin and I welcome the opportunity to
visit with you. Our in-house crematory, which opened in
2013, provides comfort in knowing that once your loved
one enters our care, they stay in our care.

Many people find it comforting to pre-plan their funeral.
We recognize how important it is to have family involved
in these decisions. We are fortunate to have a full-time staff
member on our team to handle these arrangements for
families.

As with any family, we too have faced the loss of loved
ones. Kevin lost his nephew in a 4-wheeler accident in 2013
and his father in 2014. In both circumstances, we assumed
the role of professional, walking our own family through
funeral arrangements while grieving the loss we faced. In
September 2021, the roles reversed. I was diagnosed with
Triple Negative Breast Cancer that had metastasized to my
lymph nodes. So many of the families we serve are faced
with the news of cancer. While this diagnosis was extremely
shocking, it became more overwhelming when I was forced
out of the business immediately for cancer treatment. Kevin
became the steady force within the business while close
friends helped him tend to my medical care. After 16 weeks
of rigorous chemo, a double mastectomy, and 30 days of
radiation, I continued to be quite ill. In May of 2022, Kevin
was able to step away from our business to tend to my care
for the remainder of the year.