George Joseph Holcomb of Harrison passed away Feb. 13 (2023). He was born May 26, 1947, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to George Ralph Holcomb and Margaret "Peggy" O'Neil Holcomb.

He was a US Army veteran, having served with the First Infantry Division Band at Fort Riley, Kansas, during the Vietnam War. George received a bachelor's degree from Kansas State University and later a master's degree from the University of Arkansas.

In 1976, he moved with his young family to the Harrison area, where he worked for the Social Security Administration for over 20 years. After retiring, he worked as a reporter for the Harrison Daily Times, a job he enjoyed immensely. He was later the director of the Harrison Housing Authority and also served on the board of the Regional Housing Authority. He was a member of the Community Task Force on Race Relations.

George enjoyed writing, hiking and knitting. He learned knitting from his wife's grandmother and won a blue ribbon for an afghan entered in the Boone County Fair.

George especially loved music, and music touched all areas of his life. He was a talented and accomplished performer, playing many instruments, including bass, clarinet and saxophone.

In 2018 he had the thrill of appearing on Jeopardy! He did not win, but he had a great time.

Always enthusiastic and outgoing, George will be remembered for his intelligence, wit and warmth.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marsha Gass Holcomb of Harrison, his son Jesse Holcomb of Lowell, his siblings Tom Holcomb and Micky Robinson of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Gaby Holcomb of Lawrence, Kansas. He also leaves behind many dear friends all across the country.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, at Coffman Chapel in Harrison. Memorial donations can be made to the Community Task Force on Race Relations through the Harrison branch of the Bank of 1889, or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison.