Larry C. Holcomb
Dr. Larry C. Holcomb, age 87, of Olivet, Michigan, went to live with his heavenly Father April 4, 2026. He was born April 14, 1938 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the sixth of seventh children of Clifford and Bertha (Wrate) Holcomb.
As a young boy the family moved to the country in Olivet where he learned to love all of nature. Larry graduated in 1956 from Olivet High School as senior class president and member of the Future Farmers of America. He started his college education at Olivet College graduating in 1960 and continued his studies at Michigan State University, earning a Ph.D. in 1963. He taught at universities in Ohio and Nebraska (where he became a cornhusker fan watching them win the national championship) before he took a position with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) on the Quealea Project studying grain eating birds in East Africa while stationed in Somalia.
Dr. Holcomb worked for the State of Michigan as the head of the Toxic Substance Control Commission at the time chemicals were found in the feed supply for dairy cattle. After leaving the state position he started his own businesses, Holcomb Environmental, focusing on indoor air particulates measurements and Evergreen Acres Christmas tree farm. Throughout his career, Dr. Holcomb published numerous research articles regarding wildlife and environmental issues.
Dr. Larry Holcomb met his wife, Jerrilyn (Jodon), in Battle Creek and were married August, 1958. Together they raised five children: Allen, Paul, Suzanne, Trish and Jacqueline. While Larry took on different positions the family moved to Ohio, Nebraska and Somalia. They settled back home in Olivet, Michigan in 1977. Larry and Jerrilyn were happily married for 67 years. They enjoyed traveling around the world together and visited every continent, except Antarctica.
Dr. Holcomb was an avid outdoorsman, environment conservationist and certified wildlife biologist. He was a passionate hunter traveling the world for various hunts. He recorded his hunting tales in his published book “For Love of the Outdoors,” where he chronicled his hunts qualifying him for Pope and Young records.
Larry was always working on bettering his land for wildlife conservation and wildlife habitat including putting land in conservation easements. He was often at wildlife conservation banquets and wild game dinners or telling tales of his adventures out of doors. He taught his children and grandchildren how to hunt and fish and to clean up at least 10 pieces of trash from a campground leaving it cleaner than when they arrived. Larry had a love for dogs and always had a hunting dog from a beagle to German shorthairs.
Dr. Larry Holcomb was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Bertha Holcomb, his five sisters: Inez, Florence, Dorothy, Clarabell, Rosemary, and his brother Ralph. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jerrilyn Holcomb, his five children L. Allen (Chris) Holcomb, Paul (Sara) Holcomb, Suzanne Birgy, Trish Harris (Cary Mannaberg), Jacqueline (Brian) Elizalde, his 10 grandchildren Sam Birgy, Ryan (Amber) Holcomb, Claudia Birgy, Brandon (Reanna) Elizalde, Dani (Maddy) Harris, Alexis Elizalde (Collin Ritsema), Alex (Annelise) Holcomb, Quintan Harris (Kate Tomson), Elise Holcomb and Brianna Elizalde (Sean Alexander) as well as great grandchildren Edie, Trevor, Hazel, Maeve, Davey, Iris, Isla and Logan, with two more coming soon.
Memorial services will be held at Family Bible Church in Marshall, Michigan on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 9: a.m.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Family Bible Church Building Fund or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.