Olen Banks Holcomb

Olen Banks Holcomb, age 83, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2026. After many years of hard work, Olen was welcomed into the Lord’s Kingdom and is now at rest. Leaving his place as the patriarch of his family, his life was long and his legacy he left behind will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of getting to know him.

Born February 12, 1943, on his family’s homestead in Hillsville, Virgina, Olen was the son of Elroy Banks Holcomb and Marguerite (Bullion) Holcomb. After his father’s sudden passing in 1957, Olen’s childhood was cut short. At 14 years old, he was sent to Avondale, Pennsylvania, to live with his sister, Shirley so that he could begin working at a local greenhouse. At just 14 years old, this is when Olen’s work ethic and strong family values that he carried throughout his life were formed, as he sent his money home to support his mother and younger siblings in Virginia.

In May of 1963 while attending a bluegrass concert at Sunset Park, Olen lent his jacket to the girl sitting behind him who two months later would become his wife and with whom he spent over 63 years married. In those 63 years together, Olen and Faith, not only started their family, but he became a self-employed entrepreneur and owned and operated several businesses throughout his lifetime. Olen was the proud owner of Olen’s Service Center in Jennersville, Pennsylvania, which operated for over 30 years with the help of his sons and later his grandsons. His other businesses included Olen’s Towing & Recovery and Olen & Son’s Trucking. The joy of running a business with his son, Charlie, was not only about the success of the business itself, but the many memories he was able to make along the way, some of which involved a funny story from his towing experiences.

In his 83 years, Olen will be remembered for many things but most of all he will be remembered for his sense of humor, infectious laugh, work ethic, honesty, and piercing blue eyes. To sum Olen up, he was the strongest man with the realest values. There was never a day that Olen was too sick, too in pain, or too tired to go to work. Even in his retirement, you could always find Olen outside tinkering with something, whether he had permission or not. His grass was always cut, snow was always cleared, and there wasn’t a pile of dirt that Olen wasn’t moving.

He is survived by his loving wife, Faith; his daughter, Bonnie and son-in-law, Michael Kolachny, and his sons, Olen Jr., William, and Ronald Holcomb. He is also survived by his brother, Bill, and sister-in-law, Rose Holcomb. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, with a 20th great-grandchild on the way. Each relationship Olen had with his grandchildren and their spouses were unique and special in their own way but, the relationship he had with his “boy” Chas Holcomb was one he was especially proud of. Not only was he his grandfather but, the man who helped raise Chas into the man he is today who now has many of the same traits and family values as his grandfather. Olen is proceeded in death by his parents; his son Charles Holcomb; his daughter-in-law, Crystal Holcomb; his brothers, Lynwood, Curtis, Manford, and Benny Holcomb as well as his sisters, Shirley and Betty.

You are invited to visit with Olen’s family and friends from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Christ Church at the Grove, 1772 New London Road, Landenberg, Pennsylvania. His funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place immediately following the funeral at Faggs Manor Cemetery, 505 Street Road, Cochranville, PA 19330. We will return to church for a luncheon and fellowship. In keeping with Olen’s simple nature, guests are welcome to wear whatever they feel comfortable in. He was a simple man who would have wanted everyone to just come as they are.

Arrangements are by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square. To view his online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.