HGTV john combe laurel mississippi belize obituary net worth

John Combe, the infamous 'Sky's The Limit' Home Town contestant, died at age 70.

One of the most colorful and memorable people ever crossing paths with Erin and Ben Napier died sadly. Unfortunately, the Home Town John Combe episode now doubles as a farewell to 70-year-old John, who moved to Laurel after spending a decade in Belize and a lifetime globetrotting before.

John inspired viewers instantly by being the first participant in Home Town history to grant the Napiers an unlimited budget. (I'm pretty sure he's the first person I've ever seen doing this on *any* home improvement show.) "The sky's the limit," John said in an on-camera interview, shrugging Ben and Erin's disbelief and giving the episode of Home Town John Combe its official title.

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But John's episode also featured a memorable moments highlight reel. He dropped the first-ever s-bomb of Home Town when John was stunned to hear, "Holy fuck! "John also called his latest shower—the biggest Erin and Ben had ever done—the "party shower." By the end of the episode he burst into tears, saying he was overcome by Napiers' work and kindness. When Erin compared John's new back patio area to Belize's beachside luxury, John one-uped her, saying I think it's heaven."

After John's death spread just a few months after the episode's debut, Erin wrote a tribute to Instagram's guy. She also took the opportunity to share some behind-the-scenes photos of the process's completed renovation of his house. Here you can read Erin's tribute in its original form; we copied the text below:

While we only had the pleasure of knowing him for a few months, we are heartbroken to tell you that our friend Mr. John Combe passed away in Laurel on April 4 from one of our favorite episodes of all time. He squeezed every last drop out of existence, and I'm honored to help make his last earthly home so special. But the strongest, most compassionate hearts won't pound forever, and he'll be missed. #HGTVHomeCity

While an official Home Town John Combe online obituary does not exist, some sites mention John's birth date as May 23, 1949. John's still-active Facebook page lists his profession as "Lazy," and his place as "Retired on Veranda," according to his super-chill persona.

And the Laurel Mercantile blog post for John's Season 4 Home Town episode also featured an inadvertent tribute to the guy. "John's main priority," the post reads, "is to spend his best days here in Laurel, in his home 'loving it and staying as long as possible on the poolside. We're pleased you're in the neighborhood, John! Let's know when visitors' patio is ready."