Roger Holcomb

Roger Allen Holcomb 59, of Irwin, Idaho passed away Wednesday February 27, 2013 from complications resulting from a fall at his home. Roger was born July 12, 1953 in Webster, South Dakota to John B. "Jack" and Phyllis I. Nygaard Holcomb. At the age of 3, the family moved from South Dakota to Cody, Wyoming where he attended school and graduated from Cody High School in 1971. While in high school Roger worked at Stecks IGA grocery store. Upon graduation Roger attended Northwest College in Powell, WY for approximately 1 year. He then transferred to the University of Wyoming in Laramie where he majored in Pharmacy. During the summer months while in college he was employed by Western Drug Store and Murrays Apothecary, which set his career path for life. During the academic school year he worked on campus at one of the University sorority houses as a "hasher". He graduated with his Pharmaceutical degree in 1978. He then began work immediately at an area drug store in Cheyenne, WY. Roger was hired by Owen Hospital Pharmacy Management Company from Houston, Texas. His first major pharmacy management assignment brought him to St. John's Hospital Pharmacy as Director of Pharmacy in Jackson, WY. While living in Jackson he met and married Chris Barkdull at the Redeemer Lutheran Church on April 19, 1986. In the fall of that year the young couple moved to Pocatello, Idaho where he worked in the pharmacy department at Smith's Food and Drug. In the winter of 1988 Roger was approached by the owners of Jackson Drug and offered a partnership, which he readily accepted. He remained with Jackson Drug until 2001 at which time the store closed and Roger entered semi retirement. During Roger and Chris' marriage they were blessed with two beautiful children, Nathan (now 22) and Chelsea (now 19) both of whom he loved very much. They also raised Chris' natural son and Roger's step son Joshua Simms (now 31) whom Roger loved and cared for as his own natural child. Roger was a wonderful father whose life was centered around his family. His interests included photography, hunting, Halibut fishing in Alaska, working on his mountain home and much, much more. He was an accomplished photographer and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Alaska, Canada (including Churchill, Manitoba while filming Polar Bear and Arctic Fox) and Africa. His work was displayed in the first solo show at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, WY. He loved to hunt with his children, many close friends and his dog Patch who was his constant companion and sidekick. Roger will be greatly missed by his many friends, former customers and acquaintances all over the world. He was preceded in death by his father and mother. Survivors include his former wife and close friend Chris Weimar, son Josh (Kristi) and grandson Jordan Simms of Etna, WY, son Nathan Holcomb of Laramie, WY, daughter Chelsea Holcomb of Powell, WY, brother Dennis (Myrna) Holcomb of San Tan Valley, AZ and sister Sheila (Al) Abee of Cody WY, uncle and aunt Phillip and Rose Nygaard of Surprise, AZ, aunt Eleanor Erdmann of Surprise, AZ, as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Services were held on Saturday March 9, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole. Cards and memorials may be sent to the Valley mortuary, P.O. Box 9059, WY 83002 or to Roger Holcomb c/o Dennis Holcomb, PO Box 217, Irwin ID 83428. Any contribution will be made to the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.valleymortuaryjackson.com

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