The Prince George history of the Toombs family goes as far back as 1922.
Kenneth Toombs was born in May of 1935 in Vernon B.C. He was living north of the historic O'Keefe Ranch in the Grandview Flats area of Vernon. When he decided to move to Prince George in 1952, it was because there was little work in the Vernon area.
His grandfather George Toombs was a Christian church worker and in 1922 he traveled from Armstrong to Prince George to deliver some books to other Christians in the Prince George area.
There were very few roads that led to Prince George from any direction at that point in time and his only thoughts were that the Prince George area was an almost untouched mission field.
His grandfather would return in 1942 as a Fuller Brush salesman, a company that was founded in 1906 and sold brushes of various sorts from door-to-door. He traveled all through northern B.C. for nearly ten years selling his brushes.
George developed land specifically in the North Nechako area and soon Toombs Drive was put on the map. Some of the properties later went to his grandchildren
In 1952, Kenneth's parents Irving and Marie Toombs decided to move to Prince George. Kenneth's father joined his grandfather and together worked as painters and decorators.
Irving and Marie had a family of four children; Kenneth Irving, David George (deceased), John Gilbert and Warren Elgar (deceased).
In the early 60s, the company of I. Toombs & Sons Homes Ltd. was formed as sons Kenneth, David and John joined in. The company did contract work for John McGinnis and the City of Prince George just to name a few. They also built duplexes and speculation homes in Spruceland and other areas of the city.
Kenneth said, "As our business grew we developed many lasting friendships; one in particular that stood the test of time was our friendship with Reverend Lance (deceased) and Patricia Morgan.
"Our company built about 50 homes. My father did the interior and exterior painting and contracted painting work with the Airport Authority, the Bank of Montreal and paint spraying in the mills and other commercial buildings around the city.
"In the 70s we bought more land in what is now the area of Carle and Huene Drive. We subdivided it into 35 half acre lots, built some houses and sold them all one piece at a time."
Kenneth met Hedwig Kneller through other members of the family. They were just friends at first. Hedwig went off to school, earned her degree and returned to Prince George. She wrote the boards for certification as a registered nurse in Vancouver and worked in the old army barracks hospital in Prince George in the medical and surgical departments for a short time.
She worked in the United States first as a registered nurse and then she taught at the school of nursing in Illinois.
Hedwig said, "I came home to Prince George for vacations and Kenneth and I would see each other. Then there was the time that we were to say goodbye and we realized that we were a match. This time it was different and I found that distance made the heart grow fonder and the same thing was happening to Kenneth. I moved to Prince George and we married in 1963.
"I worked in the public health system and then became a stay at home mom to take care of our boys."
Kenneth and Hedwig had two sons Warren (Karen) and Eldon (Sharon). They have four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
When the boys were in high school Hedwig went back to school as well. She worked and earned her master's degree in public health as a result of taking off-campus courses.
It just so happened that without any planning or intention Kenneth had to take over the management of T&S Communications on Nicholson Street which was originally known as Northern Interior Communications.
He explained, "We started out by selling radio service and equipment and soon we were competing in setting up satellite dishes, wiring and installing commercial phone systems and mobile radio sales and service.
"Now the company has grown to providing Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) meaning the technology for the delivery of voice communication over the internet, Voice Over Internet Solutions, telephone and data cabling, intercoms and security cameras.
"T&S Communications Ltd. is a subsidiary of I. Toombs & Sons Homes Ltd. and I am proud to say that our company has been in operation in Prince George for over 36 years. The company continues to grow and expand into exciting new areas with stunning new products. Our sons Warren and Eldon and our daughter-in-law Karen all work in the family business.'
Ken proudly said, "We always took the time to give back to our community as a family. I was a Rotarian and my entire family supported the Nechako Rotary Club for nearly 20 years with their Operation Red Nose program. One year there were eleven of us Toombs' working on a New Year's Eve in addition to also providing mobile radios for the vehicles that were out on the road.
"I feel pretty much the same as my wife Hedwig when it comes to our retirement. She does the gardening and I do woodworking in my shop. We live out in Mudd River where we have peace and quiet and we love it that way. We have great neighbors and we all look out for each other. After that we just spend the rest of the day growing older together."
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The Heritage Elementary School has an interesting project where students can earn "Hawk Bucks." Students earn Hawk Bucks by demonstrating harmony, positive attitudes, good work habits and kindness. The student can then use the Hawk Buck to buy items in the Hawk Buck store at school.
A local senior is seeking donations of gently used donations to be used as merchandise for the Hawk Buck store. Examples of items are small toys, trinkets, small Lego kits, dollar store items, McDonald's toys, skipping ropes, balls, fun jewelry, children's story books and fun knick- knacks; all items must be appropriate for elementary school children.
If you have any items that you would like to donate please drop them off at the Elder Citizens Recreation Center office at 1692 Tenth Ave. (on Tenth Avenue between Winnipeg and Vancouver Street).
