Doug Combs facts for kids

Douglas L. Combs, born on October 17, 1951, is a judge on the Oklahoma Supreme Court. This court is the highest court in the state of Oklahoma. He was chosen by Governor Brad Henry to join the Supreme Court on January 1, 2011. He took the place of Justice Rudolph Hargrave, who was retiring. Later, he became the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He served in this top role from December 1, 2016, until December 31, 2018.

Doug Combs' Early Life and Education

Douglas L. Combs was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on October 17, 1951. He still considers Shawnee his hometown. He is also a member of the Muscogee Nation, one of the Native American tribes in Oklahoma.

Combs finished high school at Shawnee High School in 1969. He then went to St. Gregory's Junior College in Shawnee, which is now called St. Gregory's University. After that, he studied at the University of Oklahoma. In 1973, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science.

He continued his education at the Oklahoma City University School of Law. In 1976, he earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor (JD). The same year, he was allowed to practice law. Before becoming a judge, Combs worked as a private lawyer. He also served as an assistant state attorney general and a deputy clerk for the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

His Career as a Judge

Doug Combs has had a long and important career in law. He served as a judge in different courts before joining the Supreme Court. From 1995 to 2003, he was a special district judge. Then, from 2003 to 2010, he served as a district judge in the twenty-third judicial district. He even became the chief judge of that district.

He was also the presiding judge for the North Central Administrative Judicial District. This role meant he oversaw how courts in that area operated. From 2006 to 2010, he was on the board of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. In 2009, he was the president of this group, which helps judges in Oklahoma.

On January 1, 2011, Governor Brad Henry appointed him as a Justice to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. Before becoming Chief Justice, he served as the Vice Chief Justice. The other judges on the court chose him to be Chief Justice for a two-year term. His term usually would have started on January 1. However, he agreed to start early, on December 1, 2016. This was because the previous Chief Justice, John Reif, retired early due to health reasons. Justice Noma Gurich took over as Vice Chief Justice after Combs became Chief Justice.

Doug Combs' Family Life

Doug Combs has been married to Janet Lea Combs for 42 years. Janet used to own and run a dance studio called the Shawnee Ballet Company. She retired from her dance studio in 2010. The Combs family attends St. Paul's Methodist Church in Shawnee. They have two adult sons, Christopher and Eric, both of whom are also lawyers.