Stephen Patrick Holcombe

Stephen Patrick Holcombe, age 72, died on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in San Antonio. He was born on March 21, 1953, in San Antonio to Egbert Wells Holcombe and Marjory Riley Holcombe. Steve was the beloved youngest sibling of the five Holcombe children, joining John Holcombe, Katherine Holcombe Leigh, Kenneth Holcombe and Richard Holcombe in their longtime family home on the Southeast Side of San Antonio.

As a child, Steve was a voracious reader who enjoyed poring over his parents’ set of encyclopedias. He was always picking up new musical instruments and pushing himself to learn how to play everything from guitars to organs.

Steve was employed at the downtown Joske’s department store and learned to work with computers before the rest of us knew what they were. A self-proclaimed late bloomer, he moved to Austin to earn his B.A. in English Literature from The University of Texas at Austin at the age of 41. At age 44, he earned his M.A. in English Literature from The University of Virginia. He did post graduate work at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Returning to Texas, Steve resided in Austin for more than 20 years, retiring from NXP Semiconductors as a Senior Technical Writer. A lifelong musician, Steve enjoyed Austin’s music scene and played in bands with friends. He loved all kinds of music – from jazz to blues to rock ‘n’ roll – and favored artists’ lesser known recordings.

Steve is survived by his brother, Ken, and sister-in-law, Terri, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings John, Rick and Kate.

The family wants to express its deep appreciation to the registered nurses and nurse aides in memory care at Brookdale Oakwell Senior Living. These extraordinary caregivers made Steve feel safe and respected. They sang with him, held music trivia contests that he won repeatedly, visited with him while providing care, and appreciated his often-sarcastic T-shirts. We also appreciate the outstanding care by the registered nurses and nurse aides at Gentle Partners in Hospice. By working together, these caregivers allowed him to peacefully end his journey on earth.

As an aficionado of higher education and innovative medical research, Steve donated his brain posthumously to the Brain Bank at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases in San Antonio. Scientists use their findings as they search for answers to preventing and treating dementia.

To honor Steve’s memory, please consider a donation to:

• Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases at biggsinstitute.org

• Dr. John Holcombe Scholarship Endowment at Sam Houston State University at https://www.shsu.edu/dept/university-advancement/giving.html

Steve will be missed and remembered for his gentle spirit, keen intellect, and wry wit.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Nomadic Beerworks, 3804 Woodbury Dr, Suite A, Austin, TX 78704. The program will begin at 3:00 p.m.