John Edward Holden, Sr.

John Edward Holden, Sr.: April 5, 1946-October 18, 2020

John Edward Holden, Sr. left this earth on the morning of October 18, 2020 due to a tragic motor vehicle accident. John not only joined his Heavenly Father that morning, but he was reunited with his bride of 51 years, on their 51st wedding anniversary. John’s funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 1, 2020 in the Braman Methodist Church with Pastor Bobby Shaw officiating.  Committal prayers and interment will follow in Braman Cemetery under the kind guidance of the Amy Stittsworth Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be Jim Curl, Mike Barton, Rick Grell, John Smith, Rocky Wood and Jason Vermillion.

John Edward Holden, Sr. was born on April 5, 1946 in Wakita, OK to Mary Helen and Harold Holden. He grew up on the family farm, and graduated from Wakita High School in 1966. John married the love of his life, Deborah June, on October 18, 1969 at the Pond Creek Baptist Church. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year surrounded by family and friends, just two months before Deborah left this earth. During their 50 years of marriage, John and Deborah raised 6 children together, who then blessed them with 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. John cherished each and every one of these kids, and they sure loved their grandpJohn was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Deborah Holden, who passed away December 29, 2019.

John is survived by his 6 children: Laura Waite and spouse Richard, John Holden, Jr. and spouse Kimberly, David Holden and spouse Lea, Chris Holden, Andy Holden, Alan Holden and spouse Megan; 15 grandchildren: Jeramy Gildhouse, Kayla Bess and spouse Cody, Kendall Waite, Cory Waite, Tristan Holden, Austin Holden and spouse Tessa, Megan Holden, Hadley Holden, Grayson Holden, Emma Holden, Aiyanna LeClair, Kiara LeClair, Makena Holden, Karsyn Holden, Aella Holden, and Connor Holden; 5 great-grandchildren: Preston Jones, Braxton Bess, Kaydon Gildhouse, Brittany Holden, and Olivia Holden; his siblings: Joan Myers, William “Bill” Holden, and Edwin “Eddy” Holden; as well as several nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Memorials may be made to the John Edward Holden, Sr. Family Memorial Fund through Bank First. Remembrances may be shared online at www.stittsworthfuneralservices.com.

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