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Dr. Harold Holbrook Passes Away

Dr. Harold Hamilton Holbrook was born on June 25, 1927 in Washington, DC. To most, he was known as “Doc.” Doc was born the youngest of four children to Zella Pearl Barnett and William Addison (BoBo) Holbrook. Raised in College Park, Maryland, Doc was an altar boy at the nearby St. Andrews Episcopal Church. He would later attend college a few blocks away at the University of Maryland. Little did he know at the time that St. Andrews Episcopal Church and the University of Maryland would play key roles in his courtship and 58 year marriage to Joann (Jody) Steely, wedded on August 23, 1952. At the helpful suggestion of his brother, Doc decided to become a veterinarian. Doc attended the University Maryland for three years where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, a volunteer at the local fire department, and a member of

the United States Navy. Doc then went on to graduate veterinarian school from the University of Georgia, Class of 1953.

Doc and Jody created their own small and large animal veterinarian practice, Town and County Animal Clinic in Olney, Maryland -- Doc as the veterinarian; Jody as the boss. While Doc and Jody have long retired, the practice still thrives today. The pair also raised three children on a small farmette in Potomac. Through long hours, having a natural intuition with animals, and excelling in the knowledge of medicine, Doc became one of the most well-known and respected veterinarians of his time. He even served as President of the Maryland Veterinary Association, cared for the animals of local law enforcement, and helped contain the Potomac Horse Fever epidemic. To this day Doc is still considered a legend in his field.

On the night of September 25, 2011, Doc passed away of cor pulmonale related to chronic pulmonary emboli. He is now united with Jody, who preceded him in death from cancer on January 10, 2011. This beloved father, grandfather, and friend is survived by his brother Dr. William (Bill) Holbrook, three children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A viewing was held on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home, located at 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville, Maryland 20882. The funeral was held on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church, located at 4512 College Avenue, College Park, Maryland 20740. Interment will immediately follow at George Washington Cemetery, located at 9500 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD 20783.

In lieu of flowers, the Holbrook family asks that donations be made to a cause close to Doc’s heart. Please make donations in honor of Dr. Harold H. Holbrook to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (Attn: Director of Giving) at P.O. Box 016960 (R48), Miami, Florida 33101-9844 or at http://www.miamiproject.miami.edu/.

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