Holbrook Joseph R. Holbrook, 87, passed away August 1, 2015, from natural causes, with his family by his side. He was born on October 2, 1927, and raised on a farm in Pike County, Ohio, a son to Elizabeth Prater Holbrook and William Cecil Holbrook. In 1949, he married Wilma Semones, with whom he recently celebrated 66 years of marriage. Joe started his career with WPAY radio in Portsmouth, Ohio, before moving to Columbus in 1950 to join WBNS-TV. He spent 42 years at 10TV, including 40 years as the station's weatherman, where he was beloved by all who welcomed him into their living rooms. During his career, he spent many years visiting elementary schools throughout central Ohio to educate students with his weather talks, and also was known for his popular yard-and-garden segments shown during newscasts. Joe was an avid pilot who was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and other pilot groups, and also co-piloted flights with the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team in the 1960s. He was a flight instructor out of Ohio State's Don Scott Field and taught aviation meteorology at the university for a decade. Joe was the best husband and father any family could ask for and a genuinely warm and caring person. He never met a stranger and was truly a humble man. His passion was his family and he would come home during his dinner break to say goodnight to his children. He saved his vacation time for long family trips throughout the United States, traveling in a station wagon with a camper attached to the back, with his four children and his niece and nephew. He loved to talk about those memories and how when we arrived at the campground after a long day in the car, he would get out a lawn chair and relax while all of the children scattered, leaving our loving and beautiful mother to do all of the work. The most amazing thing to him was that during those trips he would meet people who knew him. He never tired of people stopping him wherever he was and was genuinely interested in what they had to say. In later years, Joe continued his travels with his wife, Wilma, driving all over the country in their motorhome, and seeing the world via cruise ship. He spent his final years at the Forum at Knightsbridge in Columbus, where he made new friends and shared life stories until the last days. His family is grateful for his lessons of kindness, tolerance, compassion for others and hard work that he always shared by example. Although his day-to-day presence in our lives has changed, we see his personality and values in our children and grandchildren every day, which is the most beautiful tribute of all. It is now our turn to wish him much love and always sunny skies. Joe is survived by Wilma; 4 children all of Columbus; 8 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. Calling hours are Thursday, August 6, from 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. at TIDD FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich St., Hilliard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the , Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio, 43215.

The Columbus Dispatch
4 August 2015
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