John Mark Holder

John Mark Holder, age 91, of Newport, passed away, Saturday, January 26, 2008 in Athens, TN. John, was a retired Industrial Arts High School Teacher, taught eight different specialties, at High Point Central High School, High Point, NC. He was also President of North Carolina Industrial Arts Association in the 60's. John received his BS and Masters from ETSU in the mid 1950's. He was a veteran having served in the US Navy from 1939-1945, after bootcamp, served on the Heavy Attack Cruiser, USS Louisville, (CA-28), in the south pacific for the duration of WWII, where the ship and crew earned 13 battle stars. He was also in the US Navy Reserve from 1951-1953, Jacksonville, Florida. He was a member of the Newport Masonic Lodge # 234 F&AM, more than 50 years. His two greatest achievements were living a good Christian life and having a loving Christian family. He was instrumental on the building committee in the founding of Westchester Baptist Church (previously North Main Street Baptist). He also served on the Board of Deacons, and taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Newport after moving to Tennessee. John was a great believer in youth development in addition to high school teaching, was adult leader with Troop 1 when his son entered Boy Scouting, in 1966 became Boy Scoot summer camp director for several years, was Woodbadge trained and received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest of three awards presented to adult Scouters for distinguished service to young people within a local BSA Council. His only remaining goal was to pilot a small plane across the Atlantic. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mark Daniel and Lena Bible Holder; brothers, Ed, Val, and Earl Holder. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Euna Katherine Ratcliff Holder, whom he married May 17, 1942; son and daughter-in-law, Daniel D. and Sandra Anderson Holder, of Cleveland, TN; daughter, Marcia Kay (Holder) Fortson, of Lompoc, CA; grandchildren, Mark James Holder of Cleveland, Jennifer K. Pritchard and husband, Jeremiah A. Pritchard of Benton, TN; great grandchildren, Zachary Holder of Cleveland, Jennah Pritchard, Miah Pritchard and McKennah Pritchard of Benton, TN; sister-in-law and her husband, Agnes and Bill Lowe of Telford, TN. Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm Tuesday, January 29, 2008 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Richard Lloyd officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, with L/Cpl Charles C. Roberts DAV Chapter 102 conducting military rites. The family will receive friends from 1-3 pm Tuesday at Manes Funeral Home prior to the funeral services.

John Mark Holder

July 29, 1916 - January 26, 2008