Obituary of Richard D. Holcomb

Richard D. Holcomb, 85, of 112 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, formerly of 141 W. Summit Avenue, Lakewood, died at 1:30pm, April 30, 2012, at The Diebert Home, 474 W. Fairmount Avenue, West Ellicott. A lifelong area resident, he was born on November 17, 1926, in Jamestown and raised in Chandler's Valley, Pa., the son of the late Edna Carlson Holcomb Nordlund, and the late Donald Holcomb. Richard served his God through various positions at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lakewood. Being a charter member of the Church since its inception in 1953, he served on the Church Council, Property Committee, and most recently serving as usher with his wife. He thoroughly enjoyed farming on his daughter and son-in-law's Sherman farm in his retirement years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a devoted father and grandfather to all of his family, as well as to his cherished Beagles and Basset Hounds. He attended Sugar Grove schools and entered the US Navy in 1943. Dick served his country with pride from 1943 to 1946. During his tour of duty, he was commissioned aboard the maiden voyage of the USS Alaska. He was proud to be on the Alaska, alongside the Missouri, when the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo Bay. He was honored with the Victory Medal American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific 2 stars - Philippine Liberation. Upon returning home from the Navy, he was employed for several years at the former Chautauqua Hardware. He later worked for 33 years at MRC/TRW as a tool & die maker, in both the Jamestown and Falconer plants. He was proud to state that his second career was that of a farmer on the MereFam Farm in Sherman with all his family. His memberships included the Viking Lodge, the National Rifle Association, and the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. Richard's family would like to thank all at The Diebert Home for their incredible care for our dad/husband during these past four months. Your comfort and concern has made all our family contented and peaceful. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara J. Glidden Holcomb, whom he married October 13, 1953 in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Falconer; one daughter: Judy B. (Mike) Meredith of Sherman; two sons: Mark R. (Marilyn) Holcomb of Edgewater, Florida, and Randall G. Holcomb of Lakewood, with whom he and his wife made their home since 2000; three grandchildren: Joseph D. Meredith of Anchorage, Alaska, Anna M. Meredith of Homer, Alaska, and Jordan R. (Janelle) Meredith of Sherman; one great-grandson: Georges Henri Michael Meredith of Sherman; one sister: Mary Lou Kulig of Jamestown; and one brother: H. Eugene Holcomb of Florida; and two step-brothers: Jan Nordlund of Arizona and Duane Nordlund of Frewsburg. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son: Scott A. Holcomb on June 21, 1956; a brother, Clifford Holcomb. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM. on Friday, May 4, 2012 at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lakewood. The Rev. Timothy Hoyer will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5pm to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 3rd at the Lind Funeral Home. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 35 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, New York, 14750; or to the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department, 37 JW Packard Blvd., Lakewood, NY, 14750. You may light a candle in remembrance of Richard at www.lindfuneralhome.com.