Gerald was born August 5, 1931 to Gladys Jenkins Holdridge and James Marvin Holdridge in De Leon, Texas. He graduated from DeLeon High School in 1949. He attended Tarleton College and North Texas State Teachers College receiving his Bachelor’s Degree. He also was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Air Force and was drafted and sent to California to serve at Parks Air Force Base.
After two years’ service he returned to Dallas. The first Sunday back “Gerry” went to church at Munger Place UMC in East Dallas. As he walked on the sidewalk to the building a young woman on a balcony above welcomed him to church and told him if he sang, to come to choir. August 18,1957 was the beginning of a 63 year marriage to this woman, Gloria Curtis Holdridge. Their son, Hank Alan Holdridge, was born in 1962.
Gerald received his Master’s Degree in Education North Texas State University. He taught for many years in the Dallas and Mesquite school districts. They spent summers on their lake lot near DeLeon, water skiing at Lake Proctor or out traveling in their RV.
Singing was always an important part of his life. He spent many years singing in the choirs where he and Gloria attended church, first at Munger Place UMC, where they got married, then Lover’s Lane UMC and then Frisco UMC. He also sang with the Frisco Chorale and Gloria’s Senior Choir at The Frisco Senior Center. Even in his later years, he would always greet his wife by singing, “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Rev. James Holdridge. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gloria, son Hank, niece Lisa Young and four other nieces.
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