Edward Lee Holcombe, 79, of Rowlett, Texas, beloved husband and father, passed away on September 9, 2023 in Rockwall, Texas.
A memorial service for immediate family will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rowlett, Texas. Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Edward was born in Dallas, Texas on October 30, 1943 to Mary Emily (Sterling) Holcombe and Joseph Clyde Holcombe. He graduated from Everman High School in 1961.
After graduation from high school, Ed lived with his family in Orleans, France, where they traveled to various countries in Europe while his father was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He returned to the U.S. to start college at Arlington State College.
He volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving as a cryptanalyst for four years in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. He taught English while in Japan. Memories of Sapporo's winter Snow Festival were always a favorite, that made subzero Hokkaido temperatures bearable. He served with the 1st Air Cavalry during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in Vietnam. He was awarded a National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with OLC, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Army Commendation Medals. Like many veterans, he came back to the U.S. and re-entered college.
Ed proposed on Valentine's Day, and never realized it. Most man-made holidays didn't mean much to him. He always remembered his wedding anniversary, until Alzheimer's let it drift away. He and his wife Barbara were married for 54 years.
He truly believed, "There are no atheists in foxholes." He believed in Masonry and belonged to the Julian Feild Lodge in Ft. Worth, Texas for 45 years. He loved his God and country. He loved Wagner played loud and Joan Baez's voice (even if she sang anti-war songs). He took apart many watches, in order to fix, and saved them (while still buying a replacement). He bragged that the one skill that never deserted him, taught by the Army, was the right way to "spit-shine" shoes.
He had a varied career, with a B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Polygraph Certificate from TX A&M extension service, and a Legal Assistant Certificate in Litigation from SMU. He last worked as a Customs & Border Protection officer, Department of Homeland Security, before retiring in 2007.
Edward is survived by his wife, Barbara, and son, William, and other family and friends. Edward is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Holcombe, mother, Emily Holcombe, and his sister Patricia Holcombe.
When asked by his son why he wanted to be buried instead of being cremated, his response was, "In case I change my mind."
A memorial service for immediate family will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rowlett, Texas. Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Edward was born in Dallas, Texas on October 30, 1943 to Mary Emily (Sterling) Holcombe and Joseph Clyde Holcombe. He graduated from Everman High School in 1961.
After graduation from high school, Ed lived with his family in Orleans, France, where they traveled to various countries in Europe while his father was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He returned to the U.S. to start college at Arlington State College.
He volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving as a cryptanalyst for four years in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. He taught English while in Japan. Memories of Sapporo's winter Snow Festival were always a favorite, that made subzero Hokkaido temperatures bearable. He served with the 1st Air Cavalry during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in Vietnam. He was awarded a National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with OLC, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Army Commendation Medals. Like many veterans, he came back to the U.S. and re-entered college.
Ed proposed on Valentine's Day, and never realized it. Most man-made holidays didn't mean much to him. He always remembered his wedding anniversary, until Alzheimer's let it drift away. He and his wife Barbara were married for 54 years.
He truly believed, "There are no atheists in foxholes." He believed in Masonry and belonged to the Julian Feild Lodge in Ft. Worth, Texas for 45 years. He loved his God and country. He loved Wagner played loud and Joan Baez's voice (even if she sang anti-war songs). He took apart many watches, in order to fix, and saved them (while still buying a replacement). He bragged that the one skill that never deserted him, taught by the Army, was the right way to "spit-shine" shoes.
He had a varied career, with a B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Polygraph Certificate from TX A&M extension service, and a Legal Assistant Certificate in Litigation from SMU. He last worked as a Customs & Border Protection officer, Department of Homeland Security, before retiring in 2007.
Edward is survived by his wife, Barbara, and son, William, and other family and friends. Edward is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Holcombe, mother, Emily Holcombe, and his sister Patricia Holcombe.
When asked by his son why he wanted to be buried instead of being cremated, his response was, "In case I change my mind."
Edward Lee Holcombe, 79, of Rowlett, Texas, beloved husband and father, passed away on September 9, 2023 in Rockwall, Texas.
A memorial service for immediate family will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rowlett, Texas. Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Edward was born in Dallas, Texas on October 30, 1943 to Mary Emily (Sterling) Holcombe and Joseph Clyde Holcombe. He graduated from Everman High School in 1961.
After graduation from high school, Ed lived with his family in Orleans, France, where they traveled to various countries in Europe while his father was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He returned to the U.S. to start college at Arlington State College.
He volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving as a cryptanalyst for four years in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. He taught English while in Japan. Memories of Sapporo's winter Snow Festival were always a favorite, that made subzero Hokkaido temperatures bearable. He served with the 1st Air Cavalry during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in Vietnam. He was awarded a National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with OLC, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Army Commendation Medals. Like many veterans, he came back to the U.S. and re-entered college.
Ed proposed on Valentine's Day, and never realized it. Most man-made holidays didn't mean much to him. He always remembered his wedding anniversary, until Alzheimer's let it drift away. He and his wife Barbara were married for 54 years.
He truly believed, "There are no atheists in foxholes." He believed in Masonry and belonged to the Julian Feild Lodge in Ft. Worth, Texas for 45 years. He loved his God and country. He loved Wagner played loud and Joan Baez's voice (even if she sang anti-war songs). He took apart many watches, in order to fix, and saved them (while still buying a replacement). He bragged that the one skill that never deserted him, taught by the Army, was the right way to "spit-shine" shoes.
He had a varied career, with a B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Polygraph Certificate from TX A&M extension service, and a Legal Assistant Certificate in Litigation from SMU. He last worked as a Customs & Border Protection officer, Department of Homeland Security, before retiring in 2007.
Edward is survived by his wife, Barbara, and son, William, and other family and friends. Edward is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Holcombe, mother, Emily Holcombe, and his sister Patricia Holcombe.
When asked by his son why he wanted to be buried instead of being cremated, his response was, "In case I change my mind."
A memorial service for immediate family will be held at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rowlett, Texas. Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
Edward was born in Dallas, Texas on October 30, 1943 to Mary Emily (Sterling) Holcombe and Joseph Clyde Holcombe. He graduated from Everman High School in 1961.
After graduation from high school, Ed lived with his family in Orleans, France, where they traveled to various countries in Europe while his father was employed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He returned to the U.S. to start college at Arlington State College.
He volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving as a cryptanalyst for four years in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. He taught English while in Japan. Memories of Sapporo's winter Snow Festival were always a favorite, that made subzero Hokkaido temperatures bearable. He served with the 1st Air Cavalry during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in Vietnam. He was awarded a National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with OLC, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Army Commendation Medals. Like many veterans, he came back to the U.S. and re-entered college.
Ed proposed on Valentine's Day, and never realized it. Most man-made holidays didn't mean much to him. He always remembered his wedding anniversary, until Alzheimer's let it drift away. He and his wife Barbara were married for 54 years.
He truly believed, "There are no atheists in foxholes." He believed in Masonry and belonged to the Julian Feild Lodge in Ft. Worth, Texas for 45 years. He loved his God and country. He loved Wagner played loud and Joan Baez's voice (even if she sang anti-war songs). He took apart many watches, in order to fix, and saved them (while still buying a replacement). He bragged that the one skill that never deserted him, taught by the Army, was the right way to "spit-shine" shoes.
He had a varied career, with a B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Polygraph Certificate from TX A&M extension service, and a Legal Assistant Certificate in Litigation from SMU. He last worked as a Customs & Border Protection officer, Department of Homeland Security, before retiring in 2007.
Edward is survived by his wife, Barbara, and son, William, and other family and friends. Edward is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Holcombe, mother, Emily Holcombe, and his sister Patricia Holcombe.
When asked by his son why he wanted to be buried instead of being cremated, his response was, "In case I change my mind."
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