A memorial for Tom Holcomb was held at Riverside (CA) Mission Inn, an historic building that Tom's family said he enjoyed especially during Christmas time.
Danny Haile of Hand & Nail Harmony organized the event and shared remembrances of Tom that started when the two were in high school. Danny and Tom worked together at EZFlow and competed against each other in the competitiion ring as well as manufacturers.
NAILS editor Hannah Lee with Mr. Misuno of Nails Unique in Japan. Mr. Misuno helped plan the memorial event.
Leslie Randall Perez and Vicki Heller of Entity Beauty in front of Riverside's historic Mission Inn. Tom Holcomb was a creative founder of Entity but had left the company a few years ago.
Lorena Marquez and Vicki Peters shared a moment reminiscing about Tom.
Gari-Dawn Tingler, who now works for Hand & Nail Harmony, worked with Tom when they were both at EZFlow. Gari-Dawn said you could always count on Tom to make you laugh.
Tom relied on his competition models and became close friends with them. At left is Lisa Boone with Alisha Rimando Botero, who eventually took up nails herself and mentored under Tom's tutelage.
Tom Bachik, one-time rival, one-time business partner of Tom Holcomb, said that when he started in nail school a photo of Tom Holcomb adorned the walls at his school. "I want to be just like him when I grow up," said Bachik.
A crowd of several hundred enjoyed the exquisite atmosphere of the Mission Inn, a setting that Tom's friends said he enjoyed for the lights during Christmas. At the end of the day, close friends and family watched the Inn light up.
A visitor from Japan, documenting the tribute with her camera, could not hide her affection or her grief at Tom's loss.
Tom Holcomb traveled extensively to Japan and trained a generation of Japan nailsists, many of whom came to the service to pay their respects.
Lorena Marquez (left) hugs Alisha Rimando Botero, after presenting her with a custom acrylic brush created in Tom's name.
Eriko Kurosaki, a prominent Japanese nail artist, was considered one of Tom's proteges, and ultimately would even best him in competitions. They often worked together on special projects.
(from left) Hannah Lee, Lysa Comfort, and Michelle Mullen (of NAILS) remember fun times working with Tom.
Vicki, Gari-Dawn Tingler, and MaeLing Parrish all worked with Tom at EZ Flow.
Jewell Cunningham, who recounted very early days of competing with Tom in the mid-1980s, and Sandy Lee, who worked with Tom on Tom Holcomb Nail Products (before it became Premium Nail Concepts).
A group of Japanese mourners came to pay their respects to Tom and spoke in halting Japanese of the deep effect Tom had on their careers.
A Japanese nailist created a diarama in tribute to Tom.
A memorial for Tom Holcomb was held at Riverside (CA) Mission Inn, an historic building that Tom's family said he enjoyed especially during Christmas time.
Danny Haile of Hand & Nail Harmony organized the event and shared remembrances of Tom that started when the two were in high school. Danny and Tom worked together at EZFlow and competed against each other in the competitiion ring as well as manufacturers.
NAILS editor Hannah Lee with Mr. Misuno of Nails Unique in Japan. Mr. Misuno helped plan the memorial event.
Leslie Randall Perez and Vicki Heller of Entity Beauty in front of Riverside's historic Mission Inn. Tom Holcomb was a creative founder of Entity but had left the company a few years ago.
Lorena Marquez and Vicki Peters shared a moment reminiscing about Tom.
Gari-Dawn Tingler, who now works for Hand & Nail Harmony, worked with Tom when they were both at EZFlow. Gari-Dawn said you could always count on Tom to make you laugh.
Tom relied on his competition models and became close friends with them. At left is Lisa Boone with Alisha Rimando Botero, who eventually took up nails herself and mentored under Tom's tutelage.
Tom Bachik, one-time rival, one-time business partner of Tom Holcomb, said that when he started in nail school a photo of Tom Holcomb adorned the walls at his school. "I want to be just like him when I grow up," said Bachik.
A crowd of several hundred enjoyed the exquisite atmosphere of the Mission Inn, a setting that Tom's friends said he enjoyed for the lights during Christmas. At the end of the day, close friends and family watched the Inn light up.
A visitor from Japan, documenting the tribute with her camera, could not hide her affection or her grief at Tom's loss.
Tom Holcomb traveled extensively to Japan and trained a generation of Japan nailsists, many of whom came to the service to pay their respects.
Lorena Marquez (left) hugs Alisha Rimando Botero, after presenting her with a custom acrylic brush created in Tom's name.
Eriko Kurosaki, a prominent Japanese nail artist, was considered one of Tom's proteges, and ultimately would even best him in competitions. They often worked together on special projects.
(from left) Hannah Lee, Lysa Comfort, and Michelle Mullen (of NAILS) remember fun times working with Tom.
Vicki, Gari-Dawn Tingler, and MaeLing Parrish all worked with Tom at EZ Flow.
Jewell Cunningham, who recounted very early days of competing with Tom in the mid-1980s, and Sandy Lee, who worked with Tom on Tom Holcomb Nail Products (before it became Premium Nail Concepts).
A group of Japanese mourners came to pay their respects to Tom and spoke in halting Japanese of the deep effect Tom had on their careers.
A Japanese nailist created a diarama in tribute to Tom.
Tom Holcomb, who passed away October 28, 2011 at the age of 44, was feted at an event both joyous and somber. Nail technicians from as far away as Japan attended to share personal stories about the impact Tom had on their lives and careers. At times weeping, at times laughing, people gathered to share stories of Tom's influence, his artistry, and his generosity. Enjoy the photos from our day with Tom's family and friends and share comments of your own.
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