Life of George Holcombe

By the Holcombe Family

Who was 87 Year old George Roland Holcombe who loved working with people around the world sharing methods of “self help” with those in need whether it was in the 60’s during the KluKlux era in Louisiana, in the Ghettos of Chicago during the Civil Rights days, or in the poverty stricken areas of India, South East Asia, Mongolia, China and the Outback of Australia with the Aboriginals or Dallas Inner City Church Consulting to the present day?

George was born in Houston,  Texas and Graduated from San Jacinta High School where he was part of Maynard Gimble’s Orchestra which played at their Senior Prom. They remained lovers of music and friends throughout their lives.

George went on to Graduate from Southwestern University, and Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology and was Ordained a United Methodist Clergy. He proudly retained his Clergy Orders all his life.

He was married to Wanda Batchelor for 62 years and fathered a son Christopher, with two sons: Joshua & Jacob who is married to Dori; plus Great Granddaughter Amya . AND a daughter Sarai, married to Kevin with three children: Paul, Joseph & Katherine. 

Throughout his life, George pastored Methodist churches, served on Special Assigments to the Ecumenical Institute, Institute of Cultural Affairs and the General Board of Global Ministries. He loved teaching religious studies at the new Methodist Seminary in the Philippines at the invitation of Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil.

He never stopped sharing his love of caring for people and community all his life, even when “retired” and pastoring an aging church and living in Wells Branch in Austin by starting a Community Listserv, a Garden Guild, Starting Gardens in Elementary Schools & Classes, encouraging the holding of an Annual Community Cultural Celebration plus creating a demonstration organic garden and environmental landscape in our own yard for all to see as they walked past on the walking trail where we lived. In the midst of all his serving as a Methodist clergy, he was always involved in promoting and being involved in Ecumenical sharing. 

A celebration of George’s Legacy will be held in the future when we dedicate the new plaque on our son Chris’ swing in Wells Branch to include both their names. 

His last days were at home fighting Pancreatic Cancer to live as long as he could to keep caring for his family, community and world while living at the corner of George & 17th Street in Georgetown, Texas

A friend and activist in Rio Texas MFSA, George Holcombe died of cancer on July 30.  George was a retired UMC pastor and was a continual social justice warrior.  George and Wanda were the first recipients of Rio Texas (then Southwest Texas) MFSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Justice in 2011.  Our prayers are with Wanda and their family.