Alfred David Holcomb

“Big Al” Holcomb was born in College Station, TX on February 13th, 1938 to Alfred and Eleanor Holcomb. His family later moved to San Antonio, Texas where he resided until early adulthood.

As an undergraduate at Howard Payne College, Holcomb competed nationally and internationally in track and field. He won four consecutive Lone State Conference discus titles and held state and NAIA college records for longest discus tosses. He also held the Mexican national record for a throw he made in the inaugural track and field meet at the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City.

With a degree in biology and physical education, Holcomb began a career in teaching, as well as coaching high school football and basketball, in several cities in Texas and eventually Tennessee. It was also during this time that he developed an already budding passion for the martial arts.

Initial exposure to judo while in college led to his study of other martial arts including taekwando and karate. He studied under several instructors in Texas, including Jhoon Rhee, Pat Burleson, Ed Parker and Tom Kelly before his teaching career brought him to Memphis where in 1971, he earned his 2nd degree black belt under Master Kang Rhee. Subsequently, his instruction under Master Bill Wallace raised him to the level of 3rd degree black belt. In 1972, Holcomb teamed with Wallace to operate the Tennessee Karate Institute that was financed by entertainer Elvis Presley. Holcomb was the 1973 YMCA National Karate Champion. More recently he served as a chief instructor with Patrick Wrenn's American Combative Arts School as a 5th degree Black Belt. “Big Al” was greatly respected by his peers and remained a student of the martial arts throughout his life, ultimately attaining the rank of 6th degree black belt. In 2002, he was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of of Fame.

In 1973, Holcomb's career shifted to the music and entertainment industry. He eventually became agent and manager for entertainer, Charlie Rich and traveled the world in that position up until Mr. Rich's death in 1995. Holcomb continued to work for the Rich family until his retirement in July of 2009.

Al Holcomb lived life to its fullest and remained incredibly active as long as his body allowed. He was an avid tennis player, artist, and auto enthusiast as well as a loyal father and husband. He is survived by his wife Dr. Lisa Herman Holcomb, son Brandes “Bear” Holcomb, sister Sarah Paquette, step-son Brooks McFadden Holcomb and granddaughter to be Andrea McQueen Carroll.

His immediate family will receive friends and relatives from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 13th at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Poplar Avenue.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Special Olympics or the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief effort.