Richard Burgin Holcombe

Lt. Col. Richard Burgin Holcombe, USAF (Ret.), 84, formerly of 853 Asbury Road, Candler, died Tuesday, February 1, 2005, in Maynardville, TN. Colonel Holcombe was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Theron and Ethel Marlowe Holcombe. He was a graduate of Sand Hill High School and Brevard College and attended the University of North Carolina. He received his wings and commission at Spence Field, Ga., in June, 1943, and served with the 13th Army Air Corps during WW II. He was a member of the 67th Fighter Group and flew 101 combat missions in a P-38 and P-39 in the South Pacific and the P-40 in Hawaii. He was presented the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in combat flights over Japanese-held territory and was one of 24 officers and men of his squadron to be decorated for gallantry in action. He retired as commanding officer of the Asheville Air Force Reserve Squadron. He retired from Tidewater Supply Company and was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife, Helen Teague Holcombe; one son, George Holcombe and his wife Brenda of Maynardville, TN; three step-grandchildren, Christopher, Michael and Cathy Marsh; and one brother, the Rev. T. Dale Holcombe of Mooresville, NC. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church with the Rev. Fred Carpenter officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Russell, David Holcombe, Ron Grover, Les Sharpe, Jim Trull, Dick Davis, Frosty Fincher and David Brooks. His family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Friday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue and request that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (please designate your check for research), 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, NC 28801-2644.