Obituary of Jon Edward Sombke

Jon E. Sombke 06/17/52 – 10/21/11 – a very young 59 years Born in Aberdeen, SD to Larry and Ethel Sombke, Jon was the oldest of 6 children. At the age of 9, while walking home, Jon encountered who would end up his very best friend, Jim Day. Jim did not like the fact that Jon was crossing over the railroad tracks and beat him silly. From that day on, they were inseparable, playing with frogs and carting their wagon with the day’s findings all over their small town. In 1967 at the age of 15, he joined a garage band playing 50’s and 60’s rock. At one point, while practicing in the garage of a band member, the homeowner asked the boys if they wouldn’t mind playing a song or two for some business associates – one being Mickey Mantle! The men loved their rendition of the very popular Beatles and Beach Boys hits they played. It was definitely the highlight of his musical career to date. Although he would loved to have become ‘famous’, Jon’s love of music never faltered. In the 80’s and some of the 90’s, he would frequent The Antique Sandwich shop in North Tacoma, thoroughly enjoying open mic night. If he weren’t able to physically go, he would listen to it on the radio in his car outside, while enjoying the scenery and strumming his air guitar. He was always willing to go see a performance – whether a local band or arena-filling group. Some of his inspirations were Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Harry Chapin, Mark Knopfler, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles – mainly in the folk/rock genres, but certainly not prejudiced! His eternal love of music shined as the quintessential leader of the Sombke Family Ensemble! While easily strumming his acoustic guitar, he would lead the family into songs such as Grandma’s Feather Bed, The Rooster Song, Ohio, Circle, Hotel California and Cat’s in the Cradle, to name a few. How many wonderful, love-filled family gatherings we had singing those songs! Jon was also an avid advocate of the great outdoors – both enjoying and preserving it. He was a member of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ‘Eyes in the Woods’ poaching enforcement, as he believed to hunt and fish should be done legally. As a skilled archery hunter, he and Jim, along with other huntsmen, spent many a night at Riffe Lake in the Washington wilderness trying to sneer at least a 3 point buck. He very much enjoyed this time with his friends and nature. In one of his notebooks from a trip, he had written down how absolutely spectacular the view was from atop one of the lowland mountains after a hike and how he could spend the rest of his days there. If he had his way, he would live in forest, off of the land, like they did in the 18th century. His favorite animal has always been the Great North American Bald Eagle. He would wonder aloud of their majesty, grace and hunting skills, noting how our great country picked the perfect creature to signify our nation. Kamp Pfacowee (his house) was one of the best places to view the magnificent birds! Jon did not limit his love of animals to the furry or flying kind, though. He had numerous reptiles throughout his life, spending time in his early twenties milking rattle snakes in the south. Corny, his beloved corn snake, lived to a long 16 years. At one time, he ‘babysat’ a friend’s alligators, owned tarantulas, lizards, and tropical fish of all sorts. The family remembers fondly one crazy fish, Oscar, whom we would feed earthworms and large, fall moths. He jumped out of his tank at the perfect time one evening, while a scary movie was playing on the tv! He also had many animals to love and love him back – Sebastian, Barron, Ashley & Rascal, D’odgie, Nut Nut, Eensy, Survivor and many others. Always convinced he was born on the wrong continent, Jon loved Asian fare – Chinese being his absolute favorite. But when it came to imitating anyone or trying to make someone laugh, he turned to his trusty impression of Cheech and Chong, even nicknaming his last cat Puto Del Gato! Jon will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him. As he would have wanted, the family tradition of sing-alongs will continue and get passed down for generations to come! Preceded in death by father Larry in 2006, sister Candice and second wife June in 2007, Jon is survived by daughters Dori (John) Kobernus of IL & Janie Leite of WA; 6 grandchildren: Amber Schmidt, Nicolle Murray, Kassandra Leite, Austin Murray, Alina Leite and Morgan Kobernus and 2 great-grandchildren Aaron Jon and Isaiah, all of WA. Additional survivors include mother Ethel of WA, brothers Jeff (Marion) of AR, Rob (Cynthia) of SD, sisters Sheri Cummins and Kelli Sombke of WA. Numerous nieces and nephews, an abundance of friends, his very best friend of over 50 years, Jim Day of WA and his adopted family the Blanchards. We would like anyone who is able, to join us for his 60th birthday party at Snake Lake Tacoma Nature Center on June 17th, 2012, from 1-3pm, where we will remember him the way he would want us to – with song, family and smiles, and enjoying nature. Tacoma Nature Center 1919 S. Tyler Street Tacoma, WA 98405