James Holcombe

James Malcolm Holcombe, 85, died April 16, 2007 in Ocean Springs. He was a native Biloxian, born in the shadow of the Lighthouse. Having been born in 1922 just northwest of it on property then owned by his grandparents, John L. and Isabella Fayard Lestrade. It was the same parcel of Land Grant #5 granted to his great, great, great grandfather Louis Fasier (Fayard) signed 1793. The Lighthouse property was purchased by the U.S. Government from Charles Fayard, his great grandfather in 1848. Malcolm was the oldest descendant born on the Land Grant property. He had many fond memories of the Lighthouse. He attended public schools, graduating from Biloxi High School in 1941. Mr. Holcombe was employed by Keesler AFB until he entered the Army Air Corp in 1942. He spent his tour of duty at Hethal Air Base, near Norwick, England, as a tail gunner on a B-24 during WWII and flew 30 missions on the lead plane of the 389th Bomb Group. After the war he returned to Keesler AFB where he worked until his retirement in 1975 from the Civil Engineering Group. He had 33 years of service. Mr. Holcombe married his wife Jean in 1950 at the Nativity of the B.V.M. Catholic Church. Mr. Holcombe was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D'Iberville, a charter member of the St. Vincent De Paul, a former member of Unit 180 of the Coast Bridge Club, the 8th Air Force Historical Society and the 2nd Air Division Association. His favorite recreation was throwing a cast net, floundering, gardening and taking care of his chickens. He loved all people and animals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel E. and Rose Aline Lestrade Holcombe, his daughter, Nancy and one sister, Sarah Elizabeth Rios. He is survived by his wife, Jean and daughter, Melanie Holcombe, one sister Rosanna Ryan, two nieces and three nephews. Many thanks to Father Harlow and Mark Nordrum for prayers and service. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Vincent De Paul, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, D'Iberville, MS. Visitation is Thursday, April 19, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of BRADFORD-O'KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES (228)374-5650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, April 20, 2007 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Friends may visit one hour before services. Interment will be at D'Iberville Memorial Park. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.