Jon Addison Holcomb

Biography: Jon Addison Holcomb, 43, of Little Rock, passed away February 11, 2025, peacefully in the arms of his beloved wife, Caroline. Born March 20, 1981, he was a devoted son to Sharrell and Steve Holcomb, brother to Ashley Holcomb Hogue (Andreas), and father to Brooklyn, Merritt, and Jon Shepherd. He courageously and privately battled cancer for four years before entering the arms of Jesus.
Born on the first day of spring, Jon brought life and joy to all who knew him. He knew when to laugh and when to listen. He was charismatic, loyal, and genuine. As a child, he was adored by family, friends, and teachers at The Anthony School. His fondest childhood memories were made on the golf course with his dad, at the beach with his family, or playing pick up basketball with his neighborhood (and lifelong) best friends.
Jon was a proud graduate of Catholic High School for Boys, Class of '99. His class is notorious for being the worst in the history of the school, and he spent his adult life trying to redeem their reputation. The friendships he made at Catholic would last his lifetime, and the lessons he learned there shaped him into the man he was. He often said that he felt the closest to God in the CHS gym listening to Father Tribou speak.
When it came time for college, Jon was only interested in attending one university – the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Many memories were made at his rent house on Markham, on Dickson street, at razorback stadium, and throughout Fayetteville. He was an avid hogs fan his entire life, attending almost every home football game the past five years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was proud to send his oldest daughter, Brooklyn, to the UofA.
Jon followed in his father's footsteps and pursued a career in marketing, most notably spending 12 years as an account executive at Mangan Holcomb Partners. It was here that he met his wife, Caroline, and they fell in love over drip coffee, manila envelopes, and slow elevators. He loved to tell others, including their children, that it was her job to bring him coffee. While untrue, Caroline always laughed. He always made her laugh. His loud and charismatic personality was perfectly balanced by her calm spirit, and friends deemed them "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning." They married in 2012 on the sandy beaches along Florida's Hwy 30A, surrounded by close friends and family.
Together, Jon and Caroline fulfilled a dream of entrepreneurship when they purchased The Toggery in 2017. It was here that Jon found his dream career. He thrived on the challenges of running a business, and he particularly enjoyed buying toys, attending markets, and helping customers. The only man in their small business, he somehow found a way to manage a team of women, earning their respect while making them laugh. The couple went on to co-purchase Dilly Dally's Toy Store (Rogers, AR), along with Phil and Penny Olinghouse (previous owners of The Toggery), who mentored and loved the Holcombs like family.
While Jon's educational and professional career were meaningful to him, anyone who ever met Jon knows three things: he adored his family, he was a loyal friend, and he was insanely funny. Jon was a dedicated father who always put God and family first. Caroline often told him that he "made life more fun." Jon was the family trip advisor, the meal planner, the karaoke king, a talented chef, the watch party coordinator, and more. Nothing delighted him more than organizing and leading fun activities that brought people together and made them laugh. Many beautiful memories were made under the direction of Jon's big voice and even bigger personality.
In addition to calling the Hogs, Jon was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He grew up watching day games on WGN, and as an adult, he imposed this fanhood on his family, creating lasting memories and traditions with his wife and children at Wrigley Field. He has a brick in the sidewalk adjacent to the field with his name on it, and when the Cubs won the world series in 2016, Jon and his nephew Sterling celebrated endlessly.
While these big events were memorable, Jon's favorite days were the simple, easy ones surrounded by family and friends. He always enjoyed a round of golf, especially a sunny, slow Sunday where he could let the kids tag along in the cart. Merritt and Shep would get a "razzle dazzle" from the halfway house and each get a turn on the green while he practiced putting. He spent hours duck hunting with his father, cooking alongside his mother, speaking truths to his sister, and trying out German beers with his brother-in-law Andreas.
Jon is survived by the love of his life, Caroline Middleton Holcomb, and their three children: Brooklyn, Merritt, and Jon Shepherd; his parents Steve and Sharrell Holcomb; his sister Ashley Holcomb Hogue and Andreas and their four boys: Jackson, Hayden, Sterling, and William. He is also missed by his mother-in-law Hazel Middleton, father-in-law Dr. Don Middleton (Cindy), his numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews: Donna and Gain Robinson (Stratton, Leighton, and Barrett), Katie and Josh Middleton (Lillian and Larkin), and Drs. Emily and Ben Williams (Lucas and Livi), as well as his lifelong best friends, Jeb Steen (Brooke) and Nathan Koonce (Kerry).
A service in Jon's honor will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 24, at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church - 4823 Woodlawn Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, with a reception to follow immediately in the Gathering Hall at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Catholic High School – Class of 1999 Scholarship Fund. Donations to this scholarship fund can also be made online at www.lrchs.org.