John "Tootsie" Newton Holding

John Newton (Tootsie) Holding died on May 23, 2017 at UNC Rex Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center of Raleigh. Born June 15,1926 at Rex Hospital to the late Willis Askew Holding and Louise Frierson Holding.

“Tootsie” grew up in the Cameron Park neighborhood of Raleigh and, as a charter member of the Ole Raleigh Boy’s Club, he enjoyed sharing stories about friendships formed during his youth. Graduating from Needham Broughton High School class of 1944, John was immediately drafted for military service and chose the Navy. His active duty included two years in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Upon returning home he married his high school sweetheart, Doris McHale. He entered N.C. State College where he studied civil engineering and pitched for the baseball team. He supported the N.C. State Wolfpack Club for over sixty years and earmarked his contributions towards the baseball program.

John began his working career as an engineer with Bryan Rock and Sand Company, later to become Superior Stone Company. He developed a passion for the rock quarry business, but seeing a great opportunity he founded Carolina Ready Mixed Concrete Company, Inc. in 1959 at the age of 32. After 37 years providing concrete for countless projects in the Raleigh area, he and his son, John, Jr. sold the company in 1996.

As a life long jazz music enthusiast, “Toots” played the drums in various small groups in his younger years and continued to cut tapes and CDs to share with his friends for years to come. He was also an amateur astronomer and loved to set up his telescope to share the night sky with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years and the love of his life, Doris McHale, and older brothers Willis Askew Holding and Lawrence Frierson Holding who died in World War II.

John is survived by his three children, Betty Clyde Holding Honeycutt (Woody), Doris Holding Leitner (Mac), and John Newton Holding, Jr. (Jane). He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Andrew Hinton Honeycutt (Parker), Katherine Honeycutt Todd (Stephen), John Whealton Leitner (Riley), Willis Holding Leitner, John Newton Holding III (Jennifer) , Betty Ann Holding, and seven great grandchildren, all of whom brought him great pride and joy.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 30th, 12 noon at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorials be given to a charity of choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, North Carolina.