Oley "Krazyhorse" G Holcomb

Oley G. Holcomb, or Krazyhorse to his family and friends, was born on December 27th, 1946 in Welling, OK, the son of Johnson and Eliza (Pigeon) Holcomb. He was raised with five brothers and three sisters, Charley, Jeff, Richard, Betty, Henry, Joe, Mamie and Annie. He completed his schooling at Baggley High School in Tahlequah. He was enlisted into the United States Army on September 5th, 1968 serving in C Battery and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Service Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Device and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, having served for 14 months in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in April of 1970. He returned to the northeastern Oklahoma area to start his life. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for CAT in Tulsa and Davis H. Elliott Company. He shared his love of animals with Wendall, the grandchildren, and great grandchildren, from cows to chickens, from pigs to pet deer and squirrels, he loved wildlife. He liked being out in the warm sunshine, gathering crawdads at the rivers edge. He adored any time he had to be on his tractor, working the farm he loved. Oley was outgoing, friendly, generous with his time and talent, and always had a smile on his face. He couldn’t wait to see his neighbors and friends to share a story or anecdote he heard. His ability to make beautiful jewelry out of silver was unsurpassed. Oley loved teaching the traditions of the Cherokee people and their lifestyles and language. Oley never missed the chance to attend stomp dances at the Stokes Ceremonial grounds. These very sacred ways were taught to his grandchildren so they would carry their families way of life with them. Oley adored his grandchildren, they were the people he loved to spend time with and he was happiest when they could go and share a meal together. He loved the view from the farm, peaceful and quiet. Oley went to his final rest on January 10th, 2022, at his home where he was happiest. He was 75 years old and will be greatly missed.

Oley is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, four brothers, Charley, Jeff, Joe and Richard Holcomb and one sister, Mamie Holcomb-Buck, and his beloved companion of many years, Mary Mose.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Wendall Holcomb of Welling, OK, and his one brother and two sisters, Henry Holcomb and wife Shirley of Tahlequah, Betty Holcomb of Tahlequah and Annie Holcomb of Muskogee, OK. He lives on in his five grandchildren, Forrest Holcomb of Welling, OK, Ryan Eslick of Ft. Gibson, OK, Johnson Lance Holcomb of Tahlequah, Preston Holcomb of Tahlequah, and Jaden Holcomb of Greenfield, MA. He also leaves two great grandchildren, Saige Holcomb and Keaton Holcomb, both of Welling, OK as well as many cousins, friends and a host of loved ones too numerous to mention.

Pallbearers for Oley include Forrest Holcomb, Preston Holcomb, Brett Manus, Nathan Neugin, Ronnie Taulbee, and Keith Manus. His honorary pallbearers include Larry Webber, Johnson Lance Holcomb and Ryan EslickWelling

Funeral services for Oley G. “Krazyhorse” Holcomb will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with David Comingdeer of Echota ceremonial grounds and Jeff Bush of Stokes Ceremonial Grounds officiating. His family will have a visitation on Tuesday , January 18th, 2022 beginning at 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at Caney Cemetery next to the family he loved. Online condolences may be left for his family at www.reedculver.com.