Joseph Charles Holbrook – Colonel, United States Air Force

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From a contemporary press report:

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Joseph C. Holbrook, 82, a retired Air Force Colonel and real estate executive in Northern Virginia, died of complications of diabetes March 10, 2004, at Inova Alexandria Hospital.

Colonel Holbrook was born in Royston, Georgia, and graduated from North Georgia College. In 1941, six days before his 20th birthday, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Air Forces and entered pilot training.

During World War II, he served as an instructor pilot and was part of the Army occupation forces in Germany. He subsequently received his undergraduate degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He later held the positions of defense attaché to the U.S. embassies in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, Belgium and Luxembourg.

He held various assignments in weapons systems acquisition, culminating as the inspector general of the Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base. He was a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours of flying time in military aircraft.

His decorations included the Legion of Merit and the Air Medal.

He also earned a law degree from LaSalle University in Indiana, before retiring in 1970 after 30 years of service.

After leaving the Air Force, he settled in Alexandria and joined Mount Vernon Realty when the company had only two offices. He rose to the position of executive first vice president, as the company grew to more than 60 offices in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

During his more than 30 years as a realtor, he earned a broker’s license and provided insight to Mount Vernon’s executive management and the firm’s real estate agents regarding Virginia’s real estate law. After Mount Vernon Realty was acquired by Weichert Realtors, he continued to consult with Weichert’s leadership and agents.

Subsequently, he joined Re/Max Metro 100 in Springfield and was a senior member of the executive management team until he retired in 1995.

Colonel Holbrook helped hundreds of prospective new agents and brokers obtain their Virginia real estate licenses as a teacher in the Alexandria adult education program.

He was a member of the Northern Virginia Board of Realtors and served in many capacities. He was a member of the George Washington Masonic Lodge in Alexandria, the Scottish Rite’s Kena Temple Shrine and Trinity United Methodist Church in Alexandria and a life member of the Air Force Association.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Martha Sue Holbrook of Alexandria; a daughter, Susan Holbrook Daly of Alexandria; a sister; two granddaughters; and a great-grandson.

HOLBROOK, JOSEPH C., Col., USAF (Ret.)

On March 10, 2004, JOSEPH C. HOLBROOK of Alexandria, VA. Beloved husband of 62 years of Martha Sue; father of Susan Holbrook Daly; brother of Elizabeth Collins. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Andrea Daly Bell and Stephanie Holbrook Daly Mullett; and one great-grandson, Brace Robert Mullett, II.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2911 Cameron Mills Rd., Alexandria, VA on Tuesday, March 16 at 11 a.m. Interment services will Full Military Honors will be held on May 3 at 3 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the the Pastoral Care Development Fund, INOVA Alexandria Hospital Foundation, 4320 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA 22304.

HOLBROOK, JOSEPH CHARLES
COL   US AIR FORCE

  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 08/16/1941 – 12/31/1970
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 08/22/1921
  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/10/2004
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 05/03/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 4496
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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