Ray Opie Holcombe, 88, went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, February 15, 2015. Ray was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Pisgah Forest Baptist Church. He served his country, with pride, during World War II as a part of the Occupation of Japan while in the Army Air Corp. He then worked for Olin-Mathison for 36 years before retiring in 1988.
Ray was born in Madison County, on April 13, 1926, he was preceded in death by his parents; Earl and Daisy Holcombe, brothers; Obie, Fred, Charles and Ralph, sister Opal Robinson and half brother, Lemmie.
He is survived by Juanita, his loving wife of 67 years, daughter, Linda (Ray) Petit of Brevard and son, Roger (Rhonda) Holcombe of Brevard. Also grandchildren, Denise (Martin) Gonsales of Savannah, GA, Camy (Jeff) Horrell of Cedar Mountain, Karin Bennett (Tod Ellis) of Edgemoor, SC, David (Laura) Petit of Rosman, Tonya (Daniel) Epps of Powdersville, SC, Penny (Dean) West of Rosman, Brian (Tracey) Holcombe of Colorado, 17 great grandchildren and 3 great – great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Hazel Greene, of Boone and by 4 special nieces; Ann, Dianna, Shiela and Kim, whom he loved.
Ray will be remembered for his quick wit, wonderful sense of humor and his boundless love and devotion to his family. He, Juanita (his sweetheart since the eighth grade) and Morris (his beloved cat) enjoyed spending summer afternoons watching the Atlanta Braves baseball games.
Ray, a true “do-it-yourselfer,” thought there was nothing a little Madison County ingenuity, common sense and duct tape couldn’t repair.
While Ray will no longer be in our daily presence, he will forever be in our hearts.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to: Dr. Andrew Crocker, nurse Cloey Whitmire, Linda Gardner with Transylvania Home Health Care and to the Hospice of Transylvania County whom all lovingly cared for our loved one.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in his memory, may be made to the Greenville Shriners’ Hospital at 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
A service to celebrate Ray’s life will be held at 3:00pm, Friday, February 20, 2015 at Moody – Connolly Chapel with Rev. David Spray and Pastor Dean West officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory Transylvania County Honor Guard conducting military graveside rites.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Moody – Connolly Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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