Russell Allen Holbrook, 78, of Columbia, died on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Born in Greenville, SC, on November 7, 1946, he was a son of the late Russell Deal Holbrook and Sara Allen Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook graduated from Carolina High School in Greenville, SC in 1965 where he served as Student Body President and was voted High School Player of the Year during his senior year. He later graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1969. During college, he was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and served as its president from 1968-1969. Throughout his career he held various positions, including leadership with R.L. Bryan Company and Alfred Williams and Company where his focus there was in office furniture sales and interior design. He was a member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia. Survivors include his wife Barbara Landrum Holbrook; brother David Holbrook (Shari), of Greenville, SC; daughters Laura Barnes (Rick) of Bluffton, SC, and Ellen Duncan (Warren) of Lexington, SC; grandchildren Wesley Tillman Barnes, Landrum Grace Barnes, and Wade McCarter Duncan. The service for Mr. Holbrook will be held at 11 o'clock on Saturday, May 10, at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore officiating. Interment in the church Memorial Garden will be private. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Parlor at the church. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available at https://flpc.org/live-streaming-services/ Memorials may be made to the Memorial Garden Fund at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206 or to the Soup Kitchen Ministry in care of Centennial ARP Church, 1413 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

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Published by Post and Courier - Columbia on May 5, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Russell Holbrook

10 Entries

Joel & Pat Turner

May 11, 2025

Sorry for the lost of your brother!
We hope the best of his family!

Jim Bradford

May 8, 2025

Barbara, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Russell´s death. Please accept my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Russell and you were so much an important part of the APO fraternity experience for so many of us who overlapped Russell´s membership. Russell was the model of what a member of a service fraternity should be - a trusted friend of all and a mentor to us younger guys. He loved to have fun when it was time to party, but he kept us focused on our mission to serve others. We were fortunate he passed our way. He was, and always will be in our memories, a good man - quick to smile and lend a hand to friends and to those in need. His caring spirit was evident in his recommendation that gifts be made to the Columbia soup kitchen in his memory,

Mack Ouzts

May 8, 2025

Russell and I ran together at the downtown YMCA for years. Many of the problems of the world were solved as we put in our miles...if only the world would have listened to us! His love for Barbara and his girls was always obvious in what he shared and the way he lit up when talking about them. He was a great guy and I´m better for having known him.

Cathy Tisdale

May 8, 2025

Barbara, Laura and Ellen, Norman and I were so sorry to learn of Russell's passing. A finer gentleman I don't think I have ever known. From the time we worked together at USC to being members together at Forest Lake to just being friends, there never was a time when he wasn't smiling and interested in how we were doing. I know how much he loved each of you and all your family. We will celebrate his life, knowing right where he is.
Sincerely, Cathy and Norman Tisdale

Tim McKeown

May 7, 2025

Oh no, Barbara and family, my heart aches for you all. I am so very sorry to learn of Russell's passing. He was a great friend and brother in our USC service fraternity Iota Mu chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. I am praying that God will flood you and all of his loved ones with great peace in this time of mourning and loss. We love ya'll and wish we lived closer in order to weep, celebrate, and hug all of you. Rev. Tim McKeown, USC 1969, APO, USAF ROTC

Rudy and Audrey Sullivan

May 7, 2025

Barbara and family we are so sorry to learn of Russell´s passing. You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Rudy and Audrey

Rich Wersinger

May 7, 2025

To Russell´s family and friends,

As Carolina Class of 70, I remember Russell all through my Carolina from 66-70 and APO IM experience, I have such wonderful memories of his leadership, friendship, kindness, empathy and dedication to service.

APO IM, Carolina and our Brothers already miss him dearly.

Blessings, Love, Hugs to his family and all of our Brothers.

Rich Wersinger,
APO IM
Class of 70, University of South Carolina

Mandy Wrigley

May 6, 2025

Sorry to hear of Russell's passing! I worked with him at R.L. Bryan Co.

Coe Hankinson

May 6, 2025

My heartfelt condolences to Barbara and all of the family on the loss of Russell. Prayers for comfort.

Janice Love

May 5, 2025

Such a wonderful, nice man.
I´m so sorry for your loss.
Love to all,
Janice Love

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