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Funeral Arrangements Pending For John Holcombe

Update Dec. 15, 2008: In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the John Holcombe Scholarship Fund at SHSU through the University Advancement Office.

Update Dec. 12, 2008: A memorial service for political science professor and acting department chair John Holcombe has been scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Huntsville.

John W. Holcombe, 68, professor of political science at Sam Houston State University, died Thursday (Dec. 11) morning after collapsing on campus.

John Holcombe

Holcombe, who was serving as acting chair of the political science department, was pronounced dead at Huntsville Memorial Hospital where he had been taken by ambulance.

He had been a member of the SHSU faculty since 1966 and was the recipient of the university’s 1991 Excellence in Teaching award.

“It is noteworthy that Dr. Holcombe died on the job that he so much loved,” said Sam Houston State University President Jim Gaertner.

“Just last year, John commented to me how much he loved Sam Houston and teaching. Nancy and I will sorely miss his hearty laugh and love of life,” he said. “His life was an example to all of us, as he gave so much of his time to his students, colleagues and profession.”

Holcombe taught classes in American politics, legislative politics, and political participation. His research interests included state legislatures and the U. S. Congress.

He had served as faculty adviser to the local chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honor society and to the campus Episcopal Canterbury Club.

He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin (1963) and his doctorate from Claremont Graduate School (1972).

Funeral arrangements are pending, and additional information will be made available on Today@Sam as it is received.

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SHSU Media Contacts: Julia May
December 11, 2008
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