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1926
2019
October 1, 1926 - January 2, 2019 Dwight Henry Holcomb, 92 years old, died January 2, 2019 at the family ranch in Riverside, California, following a brief illness. He leaves his wife of 64 years, Irma (Cote) Holcomb; his sons Glen Holcomb and Paul Turner; daughters Janice Dean, Denise Slominski and Michele Brownell; his brother Dale Holcomb; sister Delores Androus; ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Dwight was born in North Whittier Heights (now called Hacienda Heights), California on October 1, 1926, where his parents had an orange grove. As a young boy, his father taught him to drive a Ford Model A truck, so he could help in the orchard filling heaters with oil. By the time he was 12 years old, he was driving a tractor and cultivating and furrowing the grove. At the age of 14 years, he was driving a nurse rig for a neighbor helping to spray walnut groves. During World War II, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1944, and was scheduled to attend pilot training for B-28 bombers. However, the war ended and he was honorably discharged. After his discharge, he attended Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo to study agricultural engineering and welding. Dwight received his first spray business license in 1947 from Los Angeles County, and started his own local orchard spraying business, while working at a welding shop during the off season. Over the next 17 years, he expanded his business, Holcomb Orchard Services to include Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Imperial Counties. It was during this time, he built his first tenders and spray rigs, and relocated his business and the family home to Corona, California. In 2003, Dwight and Irma sold their property in Corona, where they had lived for 23 years. They purchased their dream home on 7 acres in Riverside County (near Lake Matthews), where they had room to also relocate the business. They affectionately call their home, "The Ranch" where they enjoyed spectacular views, their own 5 acre avocado grove, and a wide variety of fruit trees that he planted for his family. Until his retirement in 2018, Holcomb Orchard Services had faithfully served orchard owners for over 70 years, with many of his clients being in Coachella Valley, Pauma Valley and the Agua Tibia Ranch in Pala. Dwight had a reputation as an expert in leaf analysis, facilitating the proper pest control and nutrition for citrus orchards, and maximizing output of high quality fruit. He received numerous awards and recognition for his work, and was always there to help others. Dwight was an avid fisherman, taking many trips to San Felipe, Mexico, where he was known as "Enrique". He enjoyed the fishing, the weather and the local people. A private interment will be conducted at the Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Special Olympics of Southern California.
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2 Entries
I remember Dwight and Glen flocking the Christmas trees in Hacienda Heights. A very special time for me! RIP Dwight, you've Done well. May the lord be with you. ❤
Brenda Borton
January 13, 2019
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. As time passes may you find peace in the memories you share, and comfort from the hope that God is close to the broken-hearted.
T D
January 12, 2019
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