John is a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Silver Spring, MD. Following graduation, John served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. His bravery in Vietnam earned him a Purple Heart and numerous medals. After returning home, John attended North Carolina State University where he earned both his undergraduate and masters’ degree with honors in Electrical Engineering.
John was an incredibly intelligent man and spent many years employed with B/S/H in New Bern, NC as a Product Safety Engineer. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, watching his favorite sports teams, spending time with family, and was an avid guitar player and reader.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine C. Holden of New Bern, sons Matthew J. Holden of Columbia, SC, and Jeffrey R. Holden and wife Kati of Holly Springs, NC, and granddaughters Chandler and Reese Holden. He is also survived by his brothers Timothy C. Holden and wife Jannine of Damascus, MD, and Michael J. Holden of Alexandria, VA, his sister Kathleen M. Basil and husband Tom of Arnold, MD; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister, Theresa Whitmire.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17th, 2018 at 1:00pm at Cotten Funeral Home in New Bern, NC followed by a burial service with full military honors at Greenleaf Memorial Park in New Bern. A reception will be held for family and friends at New Bern Golf and Country Club ,Trent Woods, NC at 3:00pm.
Memorial donations may be made in John’s name to Crystal Coast Hospice House, Inc. 100 Big Rock Weigh Newport, NC 28570.
Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com
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