Obituary for Roderick Albert Holcomb Sr.
Roderick Albert Holcomb Sr. was born on January 30, 1959, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Jack Holcomb and Pearlie Tolliver Holcomb. He departed this life on June 23, 2022.
Roderick Holcomb (better known as Rod) attended Cardinal Dougherty High School and graduated in 1977. During his high school years, Rod was continually active in the band, and he was a very dedicated gas station attendant for Exxon. Although he played in the band, he was still very dedicated to Exxon, so much so that people would go to the gas station just to hear him sing the Exxon jingle “Thanks for coming by today.” Playing in his high school band allowed him the opportunity to play in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, played for the Mummers parade, and other very distinguished people. Rod attended Temple University for one year while working many jobs including a dishwasher, and a donut baker. In September of 1978, Rod moved to Washington DC after receiving a job with the FBI. While working there he met Ada Savage, and they were married on October 24, 1980. From this union, four children were born: Samantha, Roderick Jr., Salaina, and Jarrod.
Rod worked with the FBI for 8 years. In 1986 he received a job with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). He held several positions including a position as a Program Analyst. This position required him to travel to several hospitals for monitoring and training. Rod was well-loved and respected by the staff of each hospital he visited. His demeanor was so well noted that hospital staff would request him to complete their monitoring and training visitations when necessary. He was a very loyal and proud employee, willing to tell anyone where he was employed. Rod worked for the federal government for 39 years. He retired from CPSC on February 1, 2018.
Rod enjoyed relaxing at home, enjoying his retirement. His favorite instrument was the trumpet, which he loved to play and would often listen to music where the trumpet was prominent. Many family members have fond memories of him playing at reunions and church services. He loved watching old movies and tv shows including Columbo, Perry Mason, and Law and Order. While watching TV, he always enjoyed his Tastykakes such as butterscotch krimpets, lemon pies, cinnamon rolls, and honey buns. Other desserts he enjoyed were yellow butter cake with chocolate icing, sweet potato pie, lemon cake, and cakes from QD cakes and pies. He was well known among his children for his famous soupy oatmeal for breakfast which he would cool down with a cube of ice during the early school mornings. He was a strong advocate for education ensuring that his children made good grades. This included many late nights and early mornings of faithfully reviewing the multiplication times table and spelling words with his children. He insisted on making sure his children were well-mannered, respectful, responsible, and honest. While he was a big disciplinarian, it was all done out of love. He wanted to make sure his children were well equipped for life. Rod also enjoyed cracking jokes with his children, using the same jokes every time such as “Your teeth are so yellow the sun refuses to shine every time you come out” and then laughing as if he is telling it for the first time. He was a dedicated and true diehard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. His family will never forget when the Eagles won the Superbowl in 2018 and how Rod cried and celebrated by pouring a bottle of water on himself.
Rod LOVED his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was a very proud father and grandfather. Only Jesus was placed higher than his family in his life. He made sure he supported his family in all capacities from attending school events, such as school plays, and sporting events, supervising recesses, attending award ceremonies and graduations, and being a very active band parent. He will be greatly remembered for his strong, tight, and comforting hugs, his extremely firm handshakes, and his soft-spoken and intelligent comments and responses.
Rod was preceded in death by his father, Jack Holcomb; his mother, Pearlie Tolliver Holcomb and older brother, Jack E. Holcomb. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Ada Holcomb; four children and one son-in-law, Samantha Paulin (Leslie), Roderick Holcomb Jr., Salaina Holcomb, and Jarrod Holcomb; one sister, Dara Jefferson (Jerome); one brother, Martin Holcomb; four grandchildren, Valerie Burns, Mariah Paulin, Leslie Paulin Jr., and Weslie Paulin; three brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; sixteen nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. Rod was truly loved by everyone. It was once told to his wife that he was the perfect gentleman. His unmatched personality will be truly missed.
Roderick Holcomb (better known as Rod) attended Cardinal Dougherty High School and graduated in 1977. During his high school years, Rod was continually active in the band, and he was a very dedicated gas station attendant for Exxon. Although he played in the band, he was still very dedicated to Exxon, so much so that people would go to the gas station just to hear him sing the Exxon jingle “Thanks for coming by today.” Playing in his high school band allowed him the opportunity to play in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, played for the Mummers parade, and other very distinguished people. Rod attended Temple University for one year while working many jobs including a dishwasher, and a donut baker. In September of 1978, Rod moved to Washington DC after receiving a job with the FBI. While working there he met Ada Savage, and they were married on October 24, 1980. From this union, four children were born: Samantha, Roderick Jr., Salaina, and Jarrod.
Rod worked with the FBI for 8 years. In 1986 he received a job with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). He held several positions including a position as a Program Analyst. This position required him to travel to several hospitals for monitoring and training. Rod was well-loved and respected by the staff of each hospital he visited. His demeanor was so well noted that hospital staff would request him to complete their monitoring and training visitations when necessary. He was a very loyal and proud employee, willing to tell anyone where he was employed. Rod worked for the federal government for 39 years. He retired from CPSC on February 1, 2018.
Rod enjoyed relaxing at home, enjoying his retirement. His favorite instrument was the trumpet, which he loved to play and would often listen to music where the trumpet was prominent. Many family members have fond memories of him playing at reunions and church services. He loved watching old movies and tv shows including Columbo, Perry Mason, and Law and Order. While watching TV, he always enjoyed his Tastykakes such as butterscotch krimpets, lemon pies, cinnamon rolls, and honey buns. Other desserts he enjoyed were yellow butter cake with chocolate icing, sweet potato pie, lemon cake, and cakes from QD cakes and pies. He was well known among his children for his famous soupy oatmeal for breakfast which he would cool down with a cube of ice during the early school mornings. He was a strong advocate for education ensuring that his children made good grades. This included many late nights and early mornings of faithfully reviewing the multiplication times table and spelling words with his children. He insisted on making sure his children were well-mannered, respectful, responsible, and honest. While he was a big disciplinarian, it was all done out of love. He wanted to make sure his children were well equipped for life. Rod also enjoyed cracking jokes with his children, using the same jokes every time such as “Your teeth are so yellow the sun refuses to shine every time you come out” and then laughing as if he is telling it for the first time. He was a dedicated and true diehard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. His family will never forget when the Eagles won the Superbowl in 2018 and how Rod cried and celebrated by pouring a bottle of water on himself.
Rod LOVED his family, especially his children and grandchildren. He was a very proud father and grandfather. Only Jesus was placed higher than his family in his life. He made sure he supported his family in all capacities from attending school events, such as school plays, and sporting events, supervising recesses, attending award ceremonies and graduations, and being a very active band parent. He will be greatly remembered for his strong, tight, and comforting hugs, his extremely firm handshakes, and his soft-spoken and intelligent comments and responses.
Rod was preceded in death by his father, Jack Holcomb; his mother, Pearlie Tolliver Holcomb and older brother, Jack E. Holcomb. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Ada Holcomb; four children and one son-in-law, Samantha Paulin (Leslie), Roderick Holcomb Jr., Salaina Holcomb, and Jarrod Holcomb; one sister, Dara Jefferson (Jerome); one brother, Martin Holcomb; four grandchildren, Valerie Burns, Mariah Paulin, Leslie Paulin Jr., and Weslie Paulin; three brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; sixteen nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends. Rod was truly loved by everyone. It was once told to his wife that he was the perfect gentleman. His unmatched personality will be truly missed.