Harry Edward Holder

GRANBURY — Harry Edward Holder, 85, passed away February 11, 2016 at the Waterview Assisted Living Center in Granbury, Texas.
Memorial service: 2:00 pm Saturday, February 20, 2016 in White Chapel at Acton United Methodist Church. Reception following.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Clyde High School Class of ’48 Scholarship Fund, 5423 FM 3217, Clyde, Texas 79510 or to the Parkinson’s Disease Research Organization. Your contributions are fully tax deductible.
Harry was born December 15, 1930 in Graham, Texas to Robert and Rose Holder. Harry was and always will be a native Texan. He was the fifth of eleven children and his family had few resources other than the strong bond and commitment they had for each other. The Holder’s lived in the small rural towns around Abilene, most notably Clyde. Harry and his siblings loved to play outside where they roughhoused and often tormented one another. He enjoyed exploring the countryside and was a self-taught outdoorsman. It was likely that these experiences led to his passion for art and served as the inspiration to his beloved Texas landscapes of rugged hills dotted with wildflowers and the occasional rustic farmhouse.
Harry graduated from Clyde High School in 1948 and later served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his tour of duty he returned to college where he met the love of his life, LaVonne Ludwig. They married in August of 1955 and shortly after moved to El Paso where he focused on his career in education and obtained both a Bachelor of Science and Masters degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. Harry loved teaching and inspired his students to achieve in the usually difficult studies of math and science. He challenged them to problem solve and engaged them through numerous science projects, two of which were featured in Life magazine. He later became a principal and superintendent of schools, roles in which he continuously worked to improve the learning environment and resources of his students. In 1987, after 33 years of service in education, he retired. Never one for idle hands, retirement brought new opportunities in travel, golf, fishing with his grandchildren and painting. He continued to refine his art through the years, eventually selling over 600 paintings and became a regionally recognized artist.
Harry loved spending time with his family. Harry and LaVonne were devoted parents to their two daughters, Pam and Darla. In later years, Harry felt fortunate that he was able to rekindle his relationship with his eldest daughter, Linda Greenberg. He treasured his daughters and grandchildren. He never tired of teaching and showing them the beauty that surrounds us. They will always cherish these memories as well as the life lessons he taught through his kindness, generosity and respect of others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Betty Tarrant, and brothers, Son and Wilbur Holder and daughter, Linda Greenberg.
Harry is survived by his wife, LaVonne Holder; daughter, Pam Holder and spouse Carole Hunt, daughter, Darla Buehler and husband Kurt, son-in-law, Redge Greenberg; grandchildren, Nash Buehler, Shelby Buehler, Tiffany Purcell, and Aaron Greenberg; great grandchildren, Jack and Skyler Purcell and soon to arrive Arthur Holder Greenberg. Harry has seven living siblings, Bernalla Calkins, Velma Smith, Minnie Shipman, Sharon Holder, Evalyn Young, Mildred Rodriguez and Fred Holder.