Claude Olen (Bob) Holder, Jr

Claude Olen (Bob) Holder, Jr. passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Holder was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Nita Attales Holder, and his brother Thomas Waylen Holder. He is survived by his sons Steve Holder and wife Lydia of San Antonio, Texas and Tim Holder of San Antonio, Texas. His grandchildren include Somer Holder and daughter Atty of Plano, Texas, Saige Holder, husband Tony, and sons Aundrey, Gosha, and Ethan of Argyle, Texas, Selia Wood and husband Cameron of Dallas, Texas, Taylor Holder of San Antonio, Texas, and Emma Holder of Midland, Texas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Services for Mr. Holder will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ville Platte, Louisiana on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 10:00 A.M..

Mr. Holder was born on December 8, 1922 in Holliday, Texas. At a young age, his family moved to Oklahoma and he graduated from Ponca City High School, Ponca City, Oklahoma. He later attended both Colorado State University and Oklahoma A&M University. Mr. Holder then joined the United States Army Air Corps and was an officer and pilot during World War II, piloting B-17 and B-29 bombers. He later was a member of the Commemorative Air Force and earned the rank of colonel in 1991.

Mr. Holder was named vice president of Holder Construction Company, Inc. in 1947 and later moved company operations to Snyder, Texas in 1949. In 1970, he was named president of the company. In 1976, he purchased, Lock Construction Company, Inc., became it's president and moved to Midland, Texas where he and his wife lived until 2011. He and his wife then moved to San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Holder retired in 1991 after a 45 year career in the pipeline construction business. During his active years, his companies laid approximately 4000 miles of pipe throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Mr. Holder's biography is chronicled in the book Men of Achievement in the Pipeline Industry, Volume II.

Mr. Holder was a member of the Snyder Chamber of Commerce Industrial Board in 1968 and served as president of the Rocky Mountain Contractors Protective Association in 1984. He was the 1st vice president of Green Tree Country Club from 1989 to 1992 and later served as president.

Bob Holder was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed sporting events, golf, hunting, and fishing. He lived a self-reliant life until the final days before his passing. He and his wife were also part of America's "greatest generation", who grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression, served their country or participated in the war effort here during World War II, and then worked during the industrial growth that made our nation what it is today. His strong presence, spirit, and personality will not be forgotten by those who knew him. He will always be loved and missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to http://www.artcuredallas.org/ (Cancer research) or the Catholic Church.