Fred David Holder

Rosary will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Holy Angel’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.

Fred was the youngest of six children, born to Walter Lee and Mary (Ernst) Holder on October 17, 1932, near Rowena, Texas. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Rowena. On July 8, 1952, he married the love of his life, Virginia Ann Hoelscher. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1953 and spent 20 years as a flight engineer and mechanic on C-54 and C-130 planes, flying all over the world. While proudly serving his country, he was stationed at bases in Texas, Florida, Kansas and Japan, Iran and Vietnam. During his military career, he enjoyed participating in and excelled at fast pitch softball, playing on many squadron and base teams. In 1972, he was ranked fourth best pitcher, Air Force wide. Fred retired from the Air Force in 1973 and moved his family to San Angelo, working at Mitsubishi Aircraft for the next 13 years.

He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church and for many enjoyable years, a member of the sausage committee for the annual parish festival. He was a member of the Eucharist Adoration Society and a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Esther Holder, Alberta & husband Ralph Halfmann, brothers Martin & Floyd Holder, son-in-law Michael McKenzie and great-granddaughter Mia Barnes.

He is survived by his wife Virginia and seven children, Beverly McKenzie, Kathy Troy, Peggy Reeves, Gail Merriman and Paul & LaDonna Holder, all of San Angelo, David & Mary Holder of Leander, Texas and Cindy & Gene Thomason of Navarre, Florida, eighteen grandchildren, Christopher & Bridget McKenzie, Patrick & Elisha McKenzie, Andrew & Marianne McKenzie, Connor Troy, Briana Troy, Jinny & Jeremy Swinehart, Megan Reeves, Brian & Sabrina Schneider, Clinton & Kari Schneider, Derik & Sarah Schneider, Natalie & Chris Ball, Gabriel Holder, Sonya & Dante Bottini, Christina Nash, Robert Nash, Whitney Holder, Ryan Holder, Christy & Tremain Barnes and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Robert and wife Adeline Holder.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons.

His family would like to thank Hospice of San Angelo for all their kindness, care and support. Thank you Eugene & Ethel Berger, whose weekly visits were looked forward to by Fred and Virginia, with shared memories and laughter.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of San Angelo or your favorite charity.