Donald Ralph McComb

Donald Ralph McComb, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Laytonsville, Maryland. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on June 7, 1936, to Mary Jeanette (née Buchanan) and James McComb, he grew up surrounded by a large, loving family.

Don was predeceased by his brothers, James and John, his sister, Dorothy, his niece Laura Dunn, his nephew David McComb, and his sister-in-law Janet McComb. He is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Marcia (née Achilles); his children Sarah McComb (Divyang Shukla) and Doug McComb (Chris McComb); grandchildren Madeleine, Gus, Malika, and Jai; brother-in-law Robert Achilles (Carol Ann); sister-in-law Marie Davis; nieces Heather Pattie, Laurie Dobbins, and Donna Clough, nephew, Geoff Achilles, cousins Hector MacDonald and Betty Donovan, and their families.

Don graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Zoology before serving in the U.S. Army for three years in Germany. He then embarked on his high school science teaching career and earned his Master's degree in Education from Boston State College. Don initially taught biology in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where he met his loving wife. In 1970, they relocated to Maryland where Don worked at the National Education Association in D.C. for ten years. Don then taught chemistry at both Gaithersburg High School and Montgomery College. He also coached high school co-ed volleyball and girls’ tennis.

A lifelong learner and educator, Don was a strong supporter of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, playing tennis and volleyball, and he took up sculpting. Throughout his life, Don was rarely seen without a camera in his hands, loved playing the trumpet, and never met a bargain he didn’t like. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the Laytonsville Volunteer Fire Department.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Roy W. Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville, MD.

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