Gail Leon Mccomb

Gail Leon McComb passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 87. He was born on November 12, 1928 in the home of his late parents, Leon and Florence (Proeger) McComb, in Stockton, Kansas. Growing up during the Great Depression, in 1934 the family moved to the McComb farm near Igo, Kansas southwest of present day Woodston. He attended the Igo and Survey country schools before graduating Magna Cum Laude from Stockton High School with the Class of 1946. Gail grew up farming and ranching, raising cattle and horses, and helping to drive herds sometimes up to 20 miles or more. By 1948 he began competing in rodeos and renting livestock to them. This eventually led to the formation of Leon McComb and Sons Rodeo which was a livestock contracting and rodeo producing company in Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska until 1972. On May 17, 1952 he was united in marriage to Donna Nadine Miller from Alton, Kansas. They were blessed with three daughters, Kathryn Gail, Michele Lee, and Melanie Ann. Together they raised their family on a rented farm southeast of Stockton until moving to town in 1972 when he was elected sheriff. Gail served as Rooks County Sheriff for two years and the Stockton Police Department for three more years. From 1978 until 1991, he was a licensed real estate agent and also served on the Stockton City Council from 1993 to 1998. During most of those years he worked at area sale barns sorting, moving, and weighing cattle and served as Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of the Open Class Horse show at the Rooks County Free Fair. All this time, he kept his own herd of cattle until his retirement in 1995. After retiring, Gail and Donna spent time traveling together and taking bus tours. He was able to pursue his passion for history and family genealogy, as well as writing numerous articles for the Kansas Cowboy, Stockton Sentinel, and the Solomon Valley Highway 24 Heritage Alliance. Although one of the greatest honors of his life was being inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Dodge City in 2011, his greatest love was his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed the coffee group talks, attending his grandchildren’s events, and taking care of Donna in their later years together. Gail is survived by his wife Donna; daughters Kathy Rees and husband Howard of Dodge City, Michele Kee of Stockton, and Melanie Hoch and husband Charlie of Topeka; grandchildren Brandi Kee of Salina, Brian Kee of Assaria, Brianne (Jez) Rush, of Stockton, Brooke Clayton of Stockton, Andy (Erin) Rees of Arvada, CO, and Kinsey (Jake) Bruton of Gunnison, CO; thirteen great grandchildren; and sister-in-law Gwen Brown of Stockton. He was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Florence McComb, and brother Keith McComb. Gail spent his life working to take care of what was entrusted to him and loving the people who were closest to him. The lifeblood of the McComb family was found in the rolling hills of grass and the freedom of country life that gave strength and encouragement to his heart and spirit. For those left to cherish his memory, we will be forever grateful for the time we shared together and the memories we hold so dear. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home with burial to follow in Survey Cemetery near Woodston. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Free Fair and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. First, Stockton, KS 67669. Condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.