James Holcombe Obituary

James Hagood Holcombe, Sr. CHARLESTON - Entered into eternal rest on Thursday, November 26, 2009. James Hagood Holcombe, Sr., was born in Charleston on December 6, 1924, a son of Edward Peddleford Holcombe and Sue Chaplin Holcombe. He attended Porter Military Academy and graduated from the High School of Charleston. He flew a PBY in World World II earning the rank of Lt. Colonel, specializing in search and rescue. He flew one of the first planes to land in Japan to retrieve our POW's, as well as being one of the first pilots to fly over the Himalayan Mountains. He was an intrinsic member of the community having many memberships: past Commodore of the Carolina Yacht Club, South Carolina Society, St. Andrews Society, Charleston Club, Sons of the Confederacy, Sea Island Yacht Club, and Green Turtle Club. He held the M.A.I. designation in the American Institute of Realtors, the S.R.P.A. designation of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, a Senior Member of The American Society of Appraisers, past President of Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, past President of the South Carolina Chapter of American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, and past President of the Charleston Chapter of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. Mr. Holcombe was the founding Chairman of Liberty National Bank and a founding Director of The Bank of South Carolina. He was a former Commodore and one of the founders of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association, past Commodore of the Southern Ocean Racing Commission. He will always be remembered for his admiration and love for his bride of 65 years, Betty, outstanding wit, amazing ability to tell a great story and joke, and of course his stoicism. Mr. Holcombe is survived by his daughter Sally H. Templeton and her husband John; his grandchildren, Neyle T. Morris, Rhett T. Ambrite, Beth Gillett and Tyler Gillett; his great grandchildren: Mills Morris, Rhett Morris, Ford Ambrite, Madeleine Ambrite, and Shelby Gillett; his brother, Edward P. Holcombe, III. He was predecessed by his daughter, Linda Jean H. Gillett and his son, James H. Holcombe, Jr. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the caregivers: Jeanette Brown, Antonett Ramsey, Ruthie Mae Rainey and Barbara Robinson. The relatives and friends of James Hagood Holcome, Sr., are invited to attend his Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m., this Tuesday at Grace Episcopal Church. The Committal will be held in Magnolia Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the Carolina Yacht Club. Donations may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, Texas, 75219, the Ronald McDonald House, or charity of your choice. Condolence messages may be sent to his guest book at our website, www.charlestonfunerals.com. Arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, 1620 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths