Obituary provided, services announced for former Parkwood Coach Dewey Combs

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dewey Combs, age 87, Carthage, Missouri, passed away at his home on Sunday, June 25, 2017, from a sudden illness.

Dewey was born May 27, 1930, in Checotah, Oklahoma, son of the late William Dewey Combs and Mattie Lou Willingham Combs.

He graduated from Springdale High School, then attended Pittsburg State University where he received his bachelor's degree in physical education,. He later received a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Missouri. He was a coach and teacher with several schools during his 30 year career. He compiled a record of 213-65-14 for four different schools, Golden City, Gallatin, Trenton, and Joplin. His team at Trenton went undefeated twice, and captured the State Title in 1966. He began coaching at Joplin High School in 1967. He coached Joplin schools for 19 years, compiling a record of 157-39-7, capturing 13 Ozark Conference Titles. In 1968, Joplin formed two high schools, Memorial and Parkwood, and Dewey became the head coach at Parkwood. Dewey was the first, and only head coach at Parkwood. He retired in 1985 after coaching the newly-consolidated Joplin High School for one season. He had undefeated Missouri State Championship teams at Parkwood in 1975, 1980, and 1983. The 1976 team was also undefeated, but due to the Missouri point system, they were not included in the playoffs, sparking a change in the Missouri point system.

Coach Combs was elected into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, the Missouri High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1985, and in 2015, Junge Stadium was renamed the Dewey Combs Athletic Complex at Junge Field in honor of the coach's contributions to the sport, and all the lives he influenced over the years.

In addition to his parents, Dewey was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Combs, who died August 14, 2001, brothers, Curtis and William, sisters, Betty Lou and Ann.

Survivors include his children, Tracy Flanigan and husband Matt of Carthage, son, Jim Combs (member of the 1980 State Championship Team) and wife Suzie of Scottsdale, Arizona; grandchildren, Kyle and Eric Combs, Anne and Bren Flanigan; brother Rick Combs and wife Darlene; sister, Patricia; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 812 S. Pearl Ave, Joplin, with Father Joji Vincent officiating. Private family interment will be in Park Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Joplin School District Scholarship Fund c/o Parker Mortuary.

MSSU releases 2017 football promotional schedule

(From Missouri Southern Athletics)

Missouri Southern has released its promotional schedule for the upcoming 2017 Football Season. The Lions are set to play five home games this year at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. This season promotions include post game fireworks, free giveaways and a new "Pick the Promo" game where fans will vote on themes, contests, and giveaways! The full promotional schedule is below.
 
August 31^st at 7pm vs. Fort Hays State University – The home opener is going to get loud! Cowbells will be handed out at the gate for the first 1,000 fans in attendance! Fans are encouraged to stick around after the game for a post-game fireworks show!

September 16^th at 6pm vs. Emporia State University – Fans will decide the promotion for the first ever "Pick the Promo" Game! Fans are encouraged to vote online here (Fan Poll) from three options including selfie night, date night, and bacon night. Regardless of the promotion, fans are invited to stay after the game for a post-game fireworks show! Voting will run through July 14^th. The three options for "Pick the Promo" are below:
                                   
"Selfie Night"

• Free Missouri Southern cell phone wallets for the first 1,000 fans
• Best selfie taken at the game with the proper hashtag will win a prize pack!
• Photo booth set up during game

"Date Night"

• Free Missouri Southern Blankets for the first 500 fans
• In game couples contests
• Longest married couple in attendance will win a prize

"Bacon Night"

• Free bacon for fans as they enter the stadium
• Canned food drive
• Free "Stress Bacon Strips" for the first 500 fans

September 30^th at 3pm vs. Nebraska-Kearney – 2017 Homecoming! Following the parade and festivities on campus the first 1,000 fans will receive a MSSU Lion head car decal! Then at halftime the 2017 Homecoming court will be recognized.

October 21^st at 3pm vs. University of Central Oklahoma – It is the annual Pink Game! The Lions will be teaming up with local organizations that are fighting cancer and breast cancer. Money raised during the game will stay local and help in the fight.

November 4^th at 2pm vs. Lindenwood – It is the final regular season home game of 2017. Lions seniors will be recognized pre-game and it is also Military Appreciation Day! Any current or former member of the Armed Services who shows their military ID will receive free admission to the game.

Dewey Combs, coach of three Parkwood state football championships, dead at 87

The most legendary football coach in Joplin history, Dewey Combs, died Sunday at age 87.

Combs won state championships in 1975, 1980, and 1983, at Parkwood High School and also coached the 1966 Trenton team to the state title.

"This was my dream job," Combs told Columbia TV station KOMU during an interview at the dedication of the Dewey Combs Athletic Complex at Junge Field on August 22, 2014. "I ended up here in Joplin and I never looked for another job."

Combs arrived in Joplin the year after leading Trenton to the state championship and remained through the 1986 season. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.