Benny Mack Holcomb

BENNY MACK HOLCOMB

FORMERLY OF HILLSVILLE - Benny Mack Holcomb, 65, of Oxford, passed away on July 12 of a heart attack while staying at the home of his son and his family in California.

He was born in 1951 to the late LeRoy and Marguerite Holcomb of Hillsville, Va. He is survived by his wife, Dawn Evans Holcomb Oxford; his son, Curtis and Lola Holcomb Hemet, Calif.; his daughter, Kristie Holcomb Sugar Hill, Ga.; stepchildren Brett and Andrea Sydenstricker of Oxford; granddaughter Emily Holcomb of Hemet, Calif.; grandson Anthony Nasdeo Sugar Hill, Ga.; step-grandsons Chaice, Brody and Ryan of Oxford; brothers Bill Holcomb and his wife Rose of Davenport, Fla., and Olen Holcomb and his wife Faith of Oxford; sisters-in-law Betty Jean Holcomb (Robert M.) and Betty Holcomb (Lynnwood), both of Virginia; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Lynwood, Robert M. and Curtis; sisters Shirley and Betty; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the U.S. Navy from 1969-1973. While serving his country he was one of 3,500 crew members aboard the ship USS Bon Homme Richards under the command of captain Dickson W. Alderton. The carrier spent nearly seven months in the coastal waters off Vietnam. He helped decommission the ship in Washington State on July 2, 1971. He enlisted as a Seaman and left as a Leading Seaman with honors and an honorable discharge. While living in Pennsylvania, he worked for many years at Laurel Valley Farms as a truck driver. A celebration of his life with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and the folding of the flag, will take place on Sept. 23 at the Lake Ridge Resort in Hillsville, Va., at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend to share fond memories of Benny with his family and friends.