John E. Holcomb

John E. Holcomb

March 19, 1950 – July 30, 2020

 

John E. Holcomb, 70, of Omaha passed away unexpectedly on July 30, 2020 in Omaha.  John was serving the citizens of Omaha as a volunteer with the Nebraska State Patrol’s Motorist Assist Program when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle while clearing debris.  John had served with the program for six years.

John is survived by his wife, Diane; his son, Christopher Holcomb (wife Olivia) of Columbus, Nebraska; his stepdaughter, Jessica Lopez Stanfield (husband Brent) of Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren: Julianne, McCoy, Rhett, and Chloe.  His stepdaughter Mara passed away in 2014.  John is also survived by one brother and two sisters.

John was born on March 19, 1950, in New Braunfels, Texas and graduated from Ralston High School in 1968.  He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War, where he earned a purple heart while being injured in combat.  After an honorable discharge due to his injuries, John remained active in veterans’ activities and always remained a proud Marine – “Semper Fi.”  On the date of his death, John had been scheduled to be on a 50-year anniversary trip to Vietnam, a trip intended to bring closure to his experiences, but the trip was cancelled as a result of COVID-19.

John was married to Diane Holcomb for twenty-seven years and helped raise her two daughters, Jessica and Mara, alongside his son, Chris.  He adored his four grandchildren and they adored their Papa John, sometimes calling him the “pizza man.”  John retired from Presto-X Pest Control after more than 20 years of work and earned the company’s top producer award for several years.   John loved his country, his home state of Nebraska, and his Cornhusker Football.  His love for his country and state is demonstrated by his willingness to volunteer to help motorists throughout Omaha who needed help with car trouble along the interstate. John didn’t mind the danger as long as he could help.

VISITATION following CDC guidelines: Monday, August 3rd from 4pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel.  FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday, August 4th at 12noon, West Center Chapel.  Graveside Service with Military Honors: Tuesday, 2pm at Omaha National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Vietnam Veterans of America at vva.org.

To view live broadcasts of the Funeral and Graveside Services, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

 

13 Comments

  • David Claus Posted August 2, 2020 9:26 am

    Deep and sincere sympathy for you and yours.

  • Jennifer and Castulo Jimenez Posted August 2, 2020 11:47 am

    We are so very sorry about Uncle John! He was an amazing and generous man. We will cherish all the time we had with him and our entire family. The Thanksgivings and anniversary party shared with him, we will hold precious! We are so sorry we couldn’t be there to celebrate John’s life with you. Love to you Aunt Diane, Chris, Jess and all your families

  • Christina Pearson Posted August 2, 2020 1:01 pm

    I’m so very sorry for your loss. John was the best neighbor I ever had. He looked after everyone and helped anywhere he saw that he could. What a generous, wonderful person who served his Country with great honor!!!
    So very sorry!

  • DONNA AND TOM LAPUZZA Posted August 2, 2020 2:00 pm

    We are so saddened at the loss of our brother-in-law John! We will always remember the wonderfully happy times when we all came together in Omaha, Houston or San Diego to celebrate an event, and, more importantly, to celebrate family. We loved having him here, seeing his profound enjoyment spending hours on the USS Midway or at the Miramar Marine Aviation Museum. Our love and hugs go out to Diane, Jess, Chris and the rest of the family.

  • RICk MADEJ Posted August 2, 2020 2:08 pm

    John was my motorist assist partner but most of all, he was my friend. I’m trying to fill my head with all the good times we had and make the demons go away. I remember the good times we had at the ball park, all of our fishing excursions, even the time I fell in the lake exiting the boat. I remember somehow he always caught the biggest fish and made sure that I knew it. John was taken from us too soon. I loved him like a brother and will miss him every day. Good-bye buddy, REST IN PEACE.

  • Valerie L Saiz Posted August 2, 2020 2:26 pm

    So very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

  • Bob marolf Posted August 2, 2020 7:36 pm

    Very sad to hear of Johns passing. My condolences to my old Freind’s Billy carol and Linda. I saw John in San Diego in July of 71 after my tour in viet nam.

  • Rick Madej Posted August 2, 2020 7:55 pm

    My condolences to Diane, Chris and Jessica and all their families. John was taken from us too soon and I’m trying to remember the good times that I shared with him, so that I can get these demons out of my head. I loved John like a brother and I will miss him every day. May he Rest in Peace.

  • Carol S (Holcomb) Rybicki Posted August 2, 2020 9:04 pm

    I am so sorry you are gone .even tho we had our differences I never forgot we were brother and sister.REST IN PEACE .

  • The Dockery Family Posted August 3, 2020 12:26 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss. John will be missed dearly. Your entire family remains in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Sending all our love from Texas.

  • Bob and Alma Bigard Posted August 3, 2020 1:59 pm

    Dearest Diane, Chris, Jessica and family, please know we love you and will be here for you in your time of need. We will miss John very much as we were looking forward to getting to know him better in our retirement years. We will pray for you and our home will welcome you Diane and Chris anytime you would like to come to Houston. We wish we could be with you today but know that our hearts and spirits are with you every moment during this very difficult time. We love you!

  • Kris McLain Posted August 4, 2020 8:46 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be unable to attend in person but know that this has deeply saddened me as well as others with the State Patrol.

  • Rose White Posted August 4, 2020 11:54 am

    What a beautiful service for a truly amazing man. Praying that you find comfort in God’s loving arms during this difficult time. John was a kind-hearted man who found joy in serving others. He will be missed by all those who knew him.

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