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George M. Halcomb

George M. Halcomb


Long time Versailles businessman George M. Halcomb, 91, passed away at 2:25pm, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Ripley Crossing in Milan. He was born at Linefork in Letcher County, Kentucky on January 6, 1931, the son of James and Loretta Caudill Halcomb. He was married to Shirley Gabbard on February 17, 1956, and she preceded him in death on January 13, 2012. On October 23, 2013, he married Edna Stinson Allen in Hamilton, Ohio and she survives.


Other survivors include three sons Randy (Carol) Holcomb, Richard (Karen) Halcomb and Joe (Susie) Halcomb all of Versailles; one daughter Karen (Jeff) Hafft of Versailles; three step-sons Bob (Sharon) Allen of Charlestown, Keith (Tammy) Allen of Madison, and Steve (Sharon) Allen of Georgetown; one step-daughter Kathy (Scott) Gratrix of Castle Rock, Colorado; 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, and 12 step-great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Douglas and Albert, and his sisters Louie May Hendricks and Orella Whicker.


Mr. Halcomb was a 1949 graduate of Versailles High School. George’s business career started when he was only 15 when he operated a Whizzer Bike Shop out of his home. After graduation he served with the US Army in Germany during the Korean War. He worked along side his father in Halcomb & Sons Plastering and in 1958 opened Halcomb Building Supply in both Osgood and Versailles. The current Halcomb Home Center opened in 1973 and George stayed connected to the business as long as his health allowed. In the early 70’s he was a member and president of the South Ripley School Board. George was also a member of the Tanglewood Baptist Church, the Versailles American Legion, Versailles Masonic Lodge, and the Versailles Lions Club.


Visitation was held on Sunday, June 19 from 5pm to 8pm at the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles with Masonic services at 4:30pm. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family with burial in the Tanglewood Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Versailles American Legion. Memorials may be given to the cemetery in care of the funeral home.