Douglas Martin Holcomb

Douglas Martin Holcomb, a resident of the Scranton area for more than 60 years, died Sunday evening at home after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Madge Megargee Holcomb.

Born Feb. 9, 1921, in Milwaukee, Wis., he was the son of the late Martin and Jesse Rowell Holcomb. After serving in the Navy in World War II, Mr. Holcomb graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he played several sports; his collegiate career was highlighted by a Big 10 basketball championship. He continued playing basketball in the early days of the NBA with the Baltimore Bullets. After his NBA career, he came to Northeastern Pennsylvania to play for the Scranton Miners. He later became head basketball coach at the University of Scranton, while also earning his master's degree in education. In 1990, he was inducted into the Chic Feldman Hall of Fame.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Holcomb served as director of public relations for Scranton Broadcasters Inc., which included CBS-affiliate stations WGBI-AM, FM and WDAU-TV. In his professional career, he served as a director of the Pennsylvania Broadcasters Association. He organized and directed the WDAU Women's Bowling Tournament for more than 20 years. He was very active in the community and is remembered fondly for his work with Goodwill Industries, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Lake Foundation. He was a long-serving member of the board of directors of the Lake Ariel Landowners' Association and a lifetime member of the Scranton Club.

Also surviving are seven children, Douglas F. Holcomb and wife, Lorna, Peckville; Ellen Holcomb Cullen and husband, Dr. Edward Cullen, Washington, D.C.; Ann Holcomb, Arlington, Va.; Katharine Holcomb, Dunmore; Kevin Holcomb, Germantown, Md.; Frank Holcomb and wife, Jackie, Clarks Summit; and Grace Holcomb, Richmond, Va.; 13 grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Veazie, Miami; and a brother, Howard Holcomb, Germantown, Wis.

Services will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in Elm Park United Methodist Church, 712 Linden St. Those planning to attend the service should go directly to the church. Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

Friends may call today, 4 to 8 p.m., at the Eugene A. Cusick Funeral Home, 217 Jefferson Ave. In lieu of flowers, at the family's request, contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.