Ben Ray Holcomb, 83, of Wellington, Texas, passed away on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Lubbock,Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb.22,2025,at the Childress Municipal Airport, officiated by Keith Martin. Burial will follow at North Fairview Cemetery in Wellington.
Ben was born on March 27, 1941, in Sherman, Texas, to J.T. “Bus” Holcomb and Geneva “Sadie” Skipper Holcomb. He grew up in Dimmitt, Texas, where he graduated from high school in 1959. A dedicated scholar, he earned academic scholarships to Texas Tech University, graduating in 1963 with a degree in Agricultural Economics.
After college, Ben briefly taught agriculture at Hart High School before returning to Dimmitt to farm for a year. In 1964, he discovered his true passion—aviation. That same year, he and his wife, Dickie, built a hangar eight miles south of Dimmitt and established AAA Flying Service, launching a lifelong career in aerial application and aviation services across Texas.
Ben and Dickie were married for over 20 years and had two sons, Ben Ray and Brad.
His love for flying took him all over the state, and in the early 1980s, he moved to McAllen, Texas, where he lived for nearly 20 years. Later, he settled in Memphis, Texas, where he met Melanie Ann Pendleton Jeffrey. Together, they welcomed their son,John Michael Holcomb, in 2001. They resided in Wellington and served as members of the Baptist Church.
Later in his career, Ben partnered with his dear friend, Luke Boedeker, selling AAA Flying Service and continuing his aviation work with Boedeker Flying Service for 15 years. Though many expected him to retire, Ben never did—his love for the job and aviation kept him at Boedeker Flying Service.
Ben was preceded in death by his son, Ben Ray Holcomb; his wife, Melanie Holcomb; his sister,Johnnie Ruth Holcomb; his brother, Butch Holcomb; and his parents, J.T. and Sadie Holcomb, of Booneville,Texas.
He is survived by his sons, Brad Holcomb, of Lubbock, and John Michael Holcomb and wife Mattee, of Wellington; stepsons Tanner Jeffrey and wife Susan, of Bogota, Texas, and Zachary Jeffrey and wife Nora, of Wellington; sisters Rita Emmons and Dawn Holcomb, of Russellville, Ark., and Carolyn Pittman and husband Jon,of Little Rock, Ark.; and a number of nieces and nephews he was very fond of. He is also survived by his grandsons, Maxx Pope and wife Desiree, of Sundown, Texas, and Shane Pope and wife Katelyn, of Lubbock, Texas, along with a host of granddaughters and grandsons he was proud to call his own.
Ben will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, unwavering dedication to his work and the lasting friendships he built throughout his life. His legacy lives on in the people he inspired, the family he loved and the skies he called home.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Dick and Margaret Pendleton Superfan Scholarship Fund, c/o Wellington ISD Business Office, 609 15th St., Wellington, TX 79095, or the Wellington Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 321, Wellington,TX 79095.
Sign the online guestbook at adamsfuneralsvc.com.
