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James Fernandez Holcomb
COOPER – James Fernandez Holcomb, 85, passed from this life Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009.
Memorial services and graveside rites are set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Lake Creek Cemetery in Delta County led by long-time neighbor, Vivian Castleberry. Delta Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
He was born April 4, 1924, to Chester and Erah Fox Holcomb in the small farming community of Antioch in Delta County. He married Betty Earlene Birmingham in 1945. The couple reared their three children, Gloria, James Roland and Ronald Lynn Holcomb in Dallas.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as a military policeman in the European Theatre until his release from service in 1945. He enrolled in Southern Methodist University and worked in Dallas until he joined the Dallas Police Force in 1949. His starting salary was $120 a week. Advancing to the position of sergeant, he was cited several times by former Police Chiefs C.F. Hanson and J.E. Curry for service beyond his official duties. He retired from the Police Department in 1970.
Preparing for retirement, he and his wife created Holcomb Services, Inc. in 1956. Starting with only a dream and operating from their kitchen table, Holcomb Services grew to include a tree service, a landscape department, a nursery, a pest control center and a rental service. He once said he had no idea how much there was to learn, but he enrolled in short courses at Texas A&M and joined every professional organization relating to his expanding business. He sold the company in the 1990s.
He served as deacon of Casa View Baptist Church where on Sunday mornings, he always went by the nursery to greet and help with the babies.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Catherine Crumbley; and two sons, James Roland and Ron.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Gloria Gregg; granddaughter, Shannon Woolridge, both of Denton; grandson, Chad Gregg and his wife, Dixie; great-grandson, Jonathan of Muenster; other great-grandson, James Woolridge; sister, Winta Jo (Jody) George; and brother, Jerry Holcomb and wife, Betty, all of Cooper.
Published October 30, 2009
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