Holcomb, Roy Kay

Born deaf near Alexander, TX; deafness not realized until age 9. After 3 failed years in the public school system, entered and graduated the Texas School for the Deaf, 1929; bachelor's from Gallaudet College, 1947 (where he was one of "The Five Iron Men" of the 1943 basketball team); M.A. in special education, 1957, another M.S. in guidance, 1958, from University of Tennessee, and a third master's in sociology (1966) from Ball State University. Teacher and coach at South Dakota School for the Deaf 1947-1955, at Tennessee School for the Deaf 1955-1961, at Indiana School for the Deaf 1961-1968; area supervisor of a deaf education program in Santa Ana, CA 1968-1973; Director of Margaret S. Sterck School 1973-1977; director of various deaf community service agencies until retirement in 1985 due to Parkinson's disease. Promoted the concept of "Total Communication" in deaf education, and coined that name. Writer of Deaf culture, our way (1995). Married Marjoriebell Stakley (q.v.).