John L. “Jay” Holcomb of Greenfield Center died on March 18 at Saratoga Hospital and passed into his next adventure.  Born on September 22, 1944, he was the son of Edward Lee and Sara Elizabeth (Miller) Holcomb, of Kettering, Ohio.

Jay is survived by his loving wife and life partner, Edna Marie (Laub), and children: daughter Jennifer (Holcomb) Hall and her husband Rich, son Edward (“EJ”), his wife, Joy, and granddaughter, Miyoko.  He is also survived by his best friend, Barry Hanson and his wife Karen.

Jay served four years as a U.S. Air Force officer during the Vietnam era. He earned his master’s degree at Eastern Washington State College and the University of Toledo; he did his doctoral coursework at Toledo.

Jay moved to the Saratoga area and spent most of his 30-year State career as a test development specialist with the Department of Civil Service, specializing in computerized testing and retiring in 2006.  Jay then joined IC Source, Inc., in Milton.  Peter and Donna Moran created a positive and respectful work environment.

Jay had lifelong loves of photography, sports, and aviation.  In 2005 he did pro bono sports photography for Herkimer County Community College (HCCC).  In the summer of 2010, his lifelong love of sports writing and his relationship with Herkimer CCC resulted in the most gratifying job of his life: editor of the Herkimer CCC Athletics website.  His writing, photography, and videography were widely enjoyed.

He had a strong sense of duty to his community and to defending civil rights. Jay served for several years as a volunteer EMT and firefighter with the Greenfield Center and Middle Grove fire companies.  He was also active with the Saratoga Branch NAACP and was awarded their Freedom Fighter award.

He loved assisting his gardener wife of 28 years, Edna, at their home in Greenfield.  They also enjoyed attending area concerts, especially those of John Kirk, Trish Miller, Ed Lowman, and friends.

He also loved private aviation and cherished the hours he spent aloft with his professional pilot son, EJ, and their many aerial photography outings.

A service of celebration of his full, active life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, NY.  Family and friends may call from 12:15 pm to 1:45 pm prior to the service. 

There will be a private interment with military honors in the spring.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Herkimer County Community College scholarship fund, c/o Herkimer County College Foundation, HCCC at 100 Reservoir Rd., Herkimer, NY 13350.

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