Fletcher Coombs, Jr.

It is with deep love and regret to announce the passing of Fletcher Coombs, Jr. He passed peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of July 7, 2024, just hours away from his 100th birthday.  Mr. Coombs was the oldest of three siblings (Wallace James and Blanche C. Shropshire) born to the late Fletcher Coombs, Sr., and the late Pearl Floyd Coombs in Atlanta, GA. He was married to the late Helen Grimes Coombs for 65 years, and from their union came two daughters, Kei and Toni.

He attended Laboratory High for Elementary and High School on the campus of the Atlanta University (AU) Center. In 1950, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting from his beloved Morehouse College, and in 1953, he received an MBA from the Atlanta University Graduate School of Business.

He was a World War II veteran who served as a Supply Sergeant and a Combat Infantryman. He earned the rank of Second lieutenant in the Reserves and a bronze star medal for meritorious service in ground combat.

Mr. Coombs was a respected professional with 40+ years of experience in accounting, business, and home loan financing. He began his career in 1953 as a Teller with Mutual Federal Savings and Loan, located on Auburn Avenue, which at the time was the only black-owned Savings and Loan in Georgia. He went from teller to Treasurer to Executive Vice President at Mutual Federal for 20 years. In 1973, Mr. Coombs became the 4th  President of Mutual Federal. In 1990, he left active employment with Mutual Federal and was named Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, where he continued to serve the Association for seven more years. In 1977, in honor of his 44 years of outstanding service to Mutual Federal, Mr. Coombs was named Director Emeritus.

He was honored and received numerous community service awards throughout his working career. Some of his past affiliations of work and service in the community include: Advisory Board – AAA South; Director – AAA Georgia Motor Club; Board of Directors & Finance Committee – Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center; President/ Chairman & Finance Committee – Butler Street YMCA; President – Community Foundation; Director – Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company; Trustee – Southwest Hospital; Treasurer – United Way; Board Member – Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Member – Friends of the Atlanta Public Library; Advisory Council – Atlanta University Graduate School of Business; Member – Georgia Savings and Loan League; Member and Grammateus of Kappa Boule' Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; Member – Auburn Avenue Merchants Association; Member – Metro Atlanta Crime Commission; Board Member – Atlanta Municipal Market.

Mr. Coombs was a cradle Episcopalian, attending St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, since his teenage years. He received the honor as a distinguished Pillar of St. Paul's and served as St. Paul's treasurer for 14 years. He was a dedicated member of two beloved fraternities: inducted into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1948 and inducted into the Sigma Pi Phi Kappa Boule Fraternity in 1983 and served as Grammateus for 28 years.

He is survived by his two loving daughters, Kei C. Breedlove and Toni C. Burns, MD. (Phillip); grandson John Fletcher Breedlove (Shanel); great-grandchildren Taylor, Brody, Grace, and Vivian; nieces Janis Coombs Reid, Angelet Coombs, Karen Shropshire Yancey, Pamela Shropshire, and Jennifer Shropshire; nephew Lawrence Shropshire, and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from 5 -7 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 306 Peyton Road, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30311. A service celebrating Mr. Coombs's life will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 306 Peyton Road, S.W. 30311. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to his beloved church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, or to his beloved alma mater, Morehouse  College, Atlanta. The Kappa Boule' Memorial will be held at 6:00 p.m. followed by The Omega Service of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. at   6:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.