Obituary of Charles A. McComas

Charles “Chuck” A. McComas, age 87 founder and former owner of McComas-Lacina Construction, died Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City.

A gathering for family and friends will be held on Sunday, October 8th beginning at 2pm, with remarks, memories, songs and prayers at 4pm and continued social time to follow at the Heights Rooftop of the Courtyard by Marriott (901 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City) To share a memory or condolence with his family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website at www.gayandciha.com.

Charles Andrew McComas was born September 5, 1936, in Iowa City, the son of Charles Andrew and Lucille Elizabeth (Theobald) McComas. Growing up in Iowa City was something that Chuck was very proud of and the reason he gave so much back to this community he loved.  Chuck attended Iowa City Schools and graduated from City High School in 1954.  He and his brother, John enjoyed buying old cars during those City High years and working his tail off in numerous jobs to keep gas in them.  Following graduation, he enrolled at the University of Iowa and received his accounting degree in 1958.  While attending the University he was a drummer in the Iowa Marching Band, and his senior year he traveled with the Hawkeyes to the 1957 Rose Bowl. While attending the University, he married Janice Lacina on June 29, 1957, who he had known since grade school.

Following college he entered the United States Air Force, where he was a B-47 pilot for the Strategic Air Command.  Returning to Iowa City following his service, he began his business career with Powers Willis Engineers and Architects and the Bit Orleans Restaurant from 1964 to 1976.  In 1977 he founded and owned McComas Lacina Construction with his brother-in-law, David Lacina until his retirement in 1998. During this time his business designed and built numerous structures around Iowa City as well as around the country.

Chuck’s wife and mother of their two children, Gavin and Mike, Janice Lacina McComas died of breast cancer in 1986.  Chuck married Mary “Jean” Huss on July 11, 1987.  With their marriage Chuck brought Jean’s five children, Patricia, Kathy, Mike, Rebecca and Jenny into his family.

As if seven children and their growing families wasn’t enough, in 1996 Jean and Chuck traveled to Bosnia seeking to support and educate five sisters who were orphaned during the Bosnian war.  They found Emira, Ibrima, Muska, Semsa and Sanela and with much love and patience, Muska, Semsa and Sanela found a new home with parents from Iowa while maintaining strong ties to sisters and other family from Bosnia!  Chuck and Jean enjoyed so much in their lives, world travels, lots of animals on their farm, including their 4 miniature dachshunds, many stray and rescue dogs and cats, donkeys, miniature horses, mules and potbellied pigs.

Chuck’s favorite title and the job he would never retire from was Grandpa!  His grandchildren have fond memories of their Grandpa singing silly songs, giving them tractor rides, digging potatoes, and so much more.

Chuck’s family includes his wife, Jean; their children and grandchildren and one great-grandson, Gavin McComas (deceased), his son, Zach (Emily) and their son, Maxten; Mike McComas (Jennifer) and their children, Lydia and David Malcolm; Patricia Huss; Kathy Haas (Don) and their children, Natalie (Tyler), Kristi, and Sydney; Mike Huss (Nicola) and their children, Kaitlyn and Ava; Rebecca Huss; Jenny Jonas (Todd) and their children, Nick, Lucy and Mary, Muska Nuhanovic (Damir) and their children, Hamza and Nadia; Semsa Dobraca (Emir) and their children, Tarik and Vedad; Sanela Krdzic (Almin) and their son, Omer; Chuck's sister, Mary Susan McComas, and his late sister and brother Gwen Cooper and John McComas.

Memorial donation can be made in Chuck’s memory to Parkinson’s Foundation (http://www.parkinson.org) Paws & More Shelter in Washington, Iowa (http://www.pawsandmorewashington.org)  If  you wish to send flowers, please contact a local florist as to delivery details.