Melvin Earl Combs is the father of renowned rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Even though he did not get to live long enough to witness his son’s success, Melvin’s life is a significant part of Sean’s past. Below is everything we know about Melvin Earl Combs, his history, and how his life shaped Sean.
Quick Facts About Melvin Earl Combs
| Full Name | Melvin Earl Carl Combs |
| Birthdate | April 15, 1938 |
| Occupation | U.S. Air Force Veteran, Associate in Drug Trade (Driver for Frank Lucas) |
| Husband/Wife | Janice Combs |
| Died | 26 January 1972 |
| Age at Death | 33 years old |
| Parents | Isaac Combs and Helen (Davis) Combs |
| Grandchildren | Justin Dior Combs, Jessie James Combs, Chance Combs, D’Lila Star Combs, Love Sean Combs, Quincy Taylor Brown, Christian Casey Combs |
| Children | Sean Combs (P. Diddy), Keisha Combs |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Family
Melvin Earl Combs was born on April 15, 1938, in New York, USA. He was the child of Isaac Combs and Helen (Davis) Combs. Melvin had a brother called John Barnett Combs. Melvin grew up in New York, but he eventually moved into a more complicated life.
Melvin’s childhood is not as well-documented as that of his son, but we do know he was in the U.S. Air Force. His time in the military led him all the way to South Korea, and there are indications that he was also in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Participation in the Drug Culture
After his military service, Melvin became involved in the drug culture of New York. He was a friend of Frank Lucas, one of Harlem’s most infamous drug lords. Melvin was Lucas’s driver. This involvement in crime and drugs defined his life and, unfortunately, resulted in his premature death.
The Tragic Death of Melvin Earl Combs
Melvin Earl Combs’s life ended in tragic fashion on January 26, 1972. Melvin was 33 years old when his life ended. He sat in his vehicle in Central Park West, New York City, and was assassinated by shooting. Later the police concluded his assassination would be most probably for a drug sale that turned foul.
At the time of his death, Melvin’s son Sean Combs was a young child. Sean was barely two or three years old when his father died. Melvin’s death would have a profound impact on Sean, who would remain without really knowing his father.
Sean Combs’s Childhood
After Melvin’s death, Sean Combs was raised by his mother, Janice Combs. Janice worked hard as a model and teacher’s assistant to support Sean and his family. She told Sean for many years that his father had died in a car accident. This was a story she used to protect Sean from the harsh truth of his father’s death.
As Sean became an adult, he began to find out the actual history of his father. Sean heard about Melvin’s criminal activities and how he died from discussions with those who had known Melvin and through his own contemplation.
READ ALSO: Sean Combs Net worth, Age, Partner, Family, Facts & More
Legacy of Melvin Earl Combs
Although Melvin passed away when Sean was still very young, his life still made a very significant impact on his son. Sean still speaks about the ache of losing his dad and the influence it had on his life growing up. Although they have limited recollections of Melvin, Sean has explained that he missed his dad as he grew older.
Sean’s achievement and career in the music industry have been affected by the hard realities he encountered during his childhood. Melvin Earl Combs’ life, although brief and tumultuous, contributed to what Sean Combs became.
