Russell (R.L.) Holder completed his journey to the Lord on February 10, 2015 where he will dwell in His heavenly home forever with his beloved wife Dorothy, who passed away on January 15, 2015.
R.L. was born on February 12, 1922 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Cyrus and Louise Holder. He graduated from high school in 1939 in the Putnam School District and went on to the University of Oklahoma where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. During his college years, he served in the ROTC and was inducted in Officer Candidate School in the U.S. Army in 1943 as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the Army Field Artillery in the European theater as a Captain at the Graffenwohr Military Community until 1947. He also served as a radio instructor during the Korean War. He was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with BSS, American Theater Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and Victory Medal.
During these years R.L. met Dorothy Louise Shanks, the love of his life, and married her on September 12, 1943. They lived at several army posts across the US before R.L. was deployed to Germany. He was thrilled when Dorothy was able to join him with their one year old son, Russell, Jr. and they made the best of being in war-torn Europe.
Upon returning home, R.L. began his career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation as a sales engineer and sold large power equipment, e.g., generators and motors. They lived in various cities as he went through training and settled in Houston, Texas. Over the years R.L. became a highly respected Account Executive focusing on the petrochemical industry. Eventually he called primarily on Exxon and their subsidiaries and affiliates in the U.S. and South America. Throughout his career he received many distinguished sales awards and honors, but his greatest personal satisfaction came from acting as mentor to young sales engineers who joined the company and seeing them achieve success.
R.L. and Dorothy joined the First Presbyterian Church once they moved to Houston where they spent the most enjoyable years of their lives. R.L. volunteered constantly and held leadership roles in various Sunday School classes. He became a Deacon and participated in financial decisions for the church. He later became an Elder and served for forty one years in many different capacities.
After R.L. retired from Westinghouse, he turned his enormous energy into his volunteer work at the church. While he worked in various projects, his most enduring contribution was with the church's evangelism program. He channeled his sales expertise into this program and was known as a tireless volunteer who was personally involved in bringing many new members to the church. He always loved serving the church, but the evangelism program brought him the greatest joy.
R.L.'s last volunteer project was sponsoring the Klesis Homebound Ministry with his wife Dorothy. This program focused on ministering to senior adults who were not longer able to attend church.
R.L. was an avid hunter, golfer, and boater. He enjoyed card games and scrabble. He was known for his tenacity, determination and hard work. He had a great sense of humor and an infectious smile. His willingness to help to family, friends and strangers was legendary.
R.L. is survived by his son Russell, Jr. and his daughter Pamela. His surviving grandchildren are Faydra and her son Ari, Maryann and Russell III. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Jane and her husband Calvin Watson as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.
A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 South Main Street Houston, TX on February 19, 2015 at 2:00pm. Should you wish to make a donation in R.L.'s honor, please direct your gift to the First Presbyterian Church and note that the gift is for the Associate Senior Pastor Fund.