Jack Bentley Holden

Jack Bentley Holden, 93, a member of the “Greatest Generation", died December 21, 2016 in Abilene, Texas. Jack was born January 1, 1923, in a terrible sandstorm (as his mother always told), in Hamlin, Texas to J. Carl and Hattie Routh Holden. He was a 1940 graduate of Abilene High School. He attended McMurry College until he enlisted in the US Army. He saw action in five European campaigns and received numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Award, and the Armed Services Service Medal. After his active service, Jack served 33 years in the Army Reserves and retired with the rank of Colonel. Jack returned from the war and married Bettie Brown in 1946. They were married for 59 before her death in 2005. They had three daughters, Kathy, Julie, and Cindy. At the close of World War II he finished his undergraduate education at SMU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in English from Hardin-Simmons University. Jack began his wage earning years as a member of the editorial staff of the Dallas Times Herald. In 1949 he returned to Abilene and began the first of 11 successful years at the Abilene Reporter News. In 1960, Jack started a 31 year career at McMurry University. He first served as Director of Public Relations and became the Vice-President of the college in Development and Public Relations in 1972. In 1989 Jack was formally recognized as the school’s outstanding administrator. After his retirement from McMurry in 1991, Jack began a new career in financial planning. He also continued his community involvement in numerous ways, including being a card-carrying member of the Girl Scouts, serving on the West Texas Girl Scout Council as a member and President. He was a member of numerous civic organizations including the Abilene Rotary Club, the Abilene Optimist Club, the Taylor County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Abilene Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Abilene Boys Ranch. He was a member and served as chairman of the Taylor County Historical Society, where he received the Maxine Perini Award in 1999; and oversaw the writing of numerous historical markers in the Big Country. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Bettie.

Survivors include his three daughters, Kathy Sayles of Abilene, Julie Reeve and husband Dave of Weatherford, and Cindy Davenport and husband Steve of Abilene, three granddaughters, Kristi McLemore and husband Mike of Bridgeport, Katie Davenport, and Jenny Davenport, both of Abilene, two great-grandsons, Clay and Brady McLemore of Bridgeport; two brothers, Don and wife Wynelle of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Gean and wife Sheena of Long Beach, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family, friends, and co-workers will tell you that although Jack, “Pop”, was a part of the Greatest Generation and loved his time in the Army and Reserves, that was not what made him great. His “greatness” was defined by his kind, loving, generous nature. He loved his family, was generous to a fault, and served his community well. These are his legacies to his family and community. His support and love will remain with his family always.

Memorials may be made to the Jack and Bettie Holden Endowed Scholarship at McMurry University, 1 McMurry Box 938, Abilene, Texas 79697, or to the Building fund at the First United Methodist Church, 202 Butternut, Abilene, TX. 79602, or Rescue The Animals, 5933 S. 1st St, Abilene, TX 79605.

Special thanks go to the wonderful employees of Wesley Court and Hendrick Hospice Care.