Taylor Combs

Welcome & Prayer

On behalf of the friends and family of Sean Taylor Combs, I would like to welcome you Taylor’s celebration of life.  We come together this afternoon to remember a man that was dear to many of you in hopes of honoring his life and helping you with the healing process.  These moments take place within a time of great grief, but also within a time of great joy, as we thank God for the many ways Taylor impacted each of your lives.  I would like to ask each one here this afternoon to look to the One who can dry every tear and heal every hurt, because I believe He is an unseen guest here this afternoon.  So as we come together, let us take a few moments to call upon the Lord in prayer.

Obituary

Sean Taylor Combs of Castle Rock, Washington passed away peacefully at the age of thirty-four on June 18, 2025. He was surrounded by his family and friends.

Taylor was born on May 26, 1991 in Longview, Washington to Gerald (Jerry) Combs and Joy Wood. He grew up in Castle Rock, from grade school until graduating from Castle Rock High School in 2009. He was employed as a mechanic at Paul’s Automotive in Winlock, Washington.

Taylor was a son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew and a great friend to all who knew and loved him. He loved dogs, but especially cherished his dog, Duke. Taylor was a friend to call on in a time of need, always willing to fix something or just go to the river to play, fish, raft, ride dirt bikes, or off-roading. He was someone who made an impact just by being himself; funny, caring, loving, and outgoing; always down for an adventure.

He is survived by his brother, Ryan Galbraith (wife Snooky), his sister, Michelle Galbraith, and brother, Joe Combs. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Lilo, Seth and Nathan Galbraith, and Peyton Cutler. Additionally, his grandmother Joann Wallace, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his dad, Gerald Combs, his mom, Joyce Ann Wood, his sister, Kim Combs, and grandfather, Earl Adams.

Taylor was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in October of 2000 in a church in Castle Rock.

Taylor will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his love for the simple things, and the way he made people feel at home just by being around. He will be missed more than words can say.

Words from Friends

Message

It is appropriate that we call this “Celebration of Life”, because we come to celebrate Taylor’s life.  We will all readily agree, Taylor died too young. It’s a tragedy that will leave a deep scar for all those who loved him. And yet, I think Taylor would say that, despite the way his life ended, he lived a good life; a life that left an indelible impact on so many other’s lives.  Those gathered here this afternoon had the opportunity to know Taylor and love him.  And I’m sure that each one could stand and testify to the various ways Taylor impacted your life.  For that, we can celebrate a life that was lived well; a life that made a lasting impact.

I was never privileged to know Taylor personally, but hearing from all of you today, I find myself disappointed that I didn’t get the opportunity.  I thank each of those who shared for giving me a small window into Taylor’s life.

However, though we come together to celebrate Taylor’s life, we also grieve over the loss of a friend and a family member.  I’m here to tell you, it is okay for you to grieve; in fact it’s normal, natural and healthy.  But, in spite of your grief, you must take time to consider that death is all a part of God’s design for people.

So often people today do everything they can to extend life, not realizing that what really matters is the quality of one’s life, not the quantity.  Taylor died young; younger than anyone here would have hoped.  As much as that pains us, we all realize that we cannot do anything to change that.  More so, we should never lose sight that no matter how long someone lives, it’s the lives he touches and the lasting impact he makes that really matters.  You all are a testimony that Taylor touched many lives and made a lasting impact.

One of God’s greatest promises and example’s of His love for us is stated in Psalm 23.

Psalm 23 “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Here we are reminded that God is our shepherd who will always be with us, no matter what comes in life.  Taylor strived to honor God in his own way, even through the valley of the shadow of death.

As you gather here this afternoon, you grieve.  But your grief should not be for Taylor, but for yourselves.  Where he is, there is no more pain and suffering.

But, you who are left will, and in fact, must grieve.  And the temptation during times like these is to shut the rest of the world out and hide in your pain.  However, that would be a mistake.

You see, one of the truly amazing things about life is that God has put us here for a time, yet we are not our own.  We are His children, the sheep of His pasture.  Yet, in the short time He has given us here, one of the greatest blessings is the relationships we have with one another.  This is truly one of God’s greatest gifts.

Taylor was a gift, and you are all better for knowing him.  But you must not hang on or refuse to let go now that your loved one has passed on from this life.  You would be wise to reach out to one another during this time of sorrow, and to the God who loves you enough to call you His child. 

In fact, as I think about your grief, I believe it would be wise to remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In John 16, we see Jesus speaking to his disciples about his own impending death.  These disciples, who left everything to follow him, would soon experience enormous grief, not unlike you face today.  To bring them comfort he says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.  You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.”  How could he say such a thing?  We see later in this chapter the answer; “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  This afternoon, I want to encourage you to look to the one who has overcome the world to find peace and joy.

One question I’m often asked at times like these is: Will I see him again in Heaven?  Some here would confidently say “yes” to this question, others aren’t sure.  Some might even question whether there is a Heaven in the first place.  For me, the only place to find the answer to such a question is in God’s revelation to mankind, the Bible.  In the Bible, God has revealed everything we need to know to live the life that He wants us to live and, honestly, to die well.  So what does the Bible say about this?

I’d like to point out a passage to you that might be helpful.  In I Corinthians 15 Paul speaks at length about the Resurrection.  First he mentions Christ’s own Resurrection from the dead, then talks about the resurrection of believers in Christ.  After a lengthy discussion about these perishable bodies dying and being raised to an imperishable body Paul says:

1 Corinthians 15:50–56 “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.”

Ultimately, the answer to our question lies in this: Do I have victory through the Lord Jesus Christ.  See, Taylor has already made his peace with God.  But what about you?  Have you made peace with God?

Some here have done that, of which I praise God for.  But others simply think they have made peace with God, not realizing that when it comes to peace with God it’s His terms, not ours.  God’s terms are this: All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards.  The only way we are made right with God (or have peace with God) is through Jesus sacrificial death, taking our punishment upon himself.  If we are to receive this forgiveness of sins we must believe in him and make him the Lord of our life.  When you do this, you can be assured that you have victory in Jesus!   

Finally, I would like everyone here to take a minute to think about specific ways in which Taylor impacted you during his life.  (I will give you a minute to silently think about those.)

Now, I encourage you to take a minute to silently utter a prayer of thanks to God.  Because, as we know, God gave Taylor to us for a time; and we are left with memories.  We should learn from these memories and thank God for the gift of Taylor.  (I will give you a minute to whisper a silent prayer of thanks.)

Spreading the Ashes

Prayer