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Ralph Holden

1928 - 2022

Ralph Holden obituary, 1928-2022, Sun City West, ID

BORN

1928

DIED

2022

FUNERAL HOME

Camino Del Sol Funeral Chapel & Cremation Center

13738 W Camino Del Sol

Sun City West, Arizona

Ralph Holden Obituary

Ralph Lindsey Holden transitioned to his heavenly home on August 1, 2022 in Sun City West, Arizona. Ralph was born in St. Louis, Missouri July 14, 1928 to Cyril Robert Holden and Annabelle Cooper Holden, the third of their four children. He grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho and married his high school sweetheart Lois LaRee Hoffman on March 25, 1948. Lois preceded Ralph in death on March 31, 2010. They raised four children in Pocatello, Idaho; Kristie Stratford (Ken), Mary Kay McCollum (Lee), Frank Holden (DeeAnn), and Cindy Holden.

Ralph attended the University of Idaho from 1946-47 pledging Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He returned to Idaho Falls to marry Lois, farm and raise their family. He was president of Kiwanis in Pocatello and a member for 23 years.

Ralph was also a member of Idaho Food Dealers, Pocatello Country Club, ISU Bengal Boosters, Pocatello Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants, United Campaign and Pocatello Chiefs.

Ralph was an entrepreneur his entire life. He managed and owned Okay's Food Center in Pocatello for many years. He began as a potato farmer, started a satellite business, an insulation business, a gift store (The Underground),

and finally a Snug Fleece Woolens Store. He retired to Sun City West, Arizona and enjoyed a long retirement with Lois. Ralph played years of golf and tennis. Much of his leisure time was spent with his many special friends.

Ralph was dearly loved, admired and respected by all who's lives he touched. He was one of the very good ones, the epitome of what it truly means to be called a 'gentleman'. He could always lighten a room and bring a smile to a face, no matter the age of the person with whom he was engaging.

He enjoyed a very full journey through this life, living just into his 94th year, in spite of being mostly blind for the last 20 years. His motto, repeated often, was "I never had a bad day". We are blessed to have had him as our father.

Ralph leaves behind, his four children, his grandchildren, Troy Stratford (Dixie), Lindsey Bender (John), Christian McCollum (Anne), Andrew McCollum (Kim), and Holden Nielson and 11 great grandchildren. We lost grandchildren Cassie Holden in 1988 and Rodney Stratford in 2010.

Ralph's family would like to thank the loving friends who have helped him these last years of his life. His friends Alice Thielman and Sandy Cryer; his Hospice nurse Mandy Read, care companions Heather Adams and Lauren Foley. They have all given him love and comfort when he was most in need. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts. There will be a private family service at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit theĀ Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho State Journal on Aug. 14, 2022.

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3 Entries

Bert Sahlberg

August 19, 2022

Loved working at Okay's and for Ralph while in high school. Great friend of my parents. Have run into relatives of his over the years and have enjoyed the stories they have shared of him. He was one of the good ones!

Jan Noorda

August 14, 2022

So many good memories of Ralph. As my father“s best friend our families would spend time together at the CC golfing, on fishing trips to Island Park, or discussing the issues of the day around the hearth.
I feel fortunate to have had a recent conversation with him about the old days.
A life well lived. Good ride cowboy, good ride.

Rick Simpkins

August 14, 2022

I extend my condolences to his children, as Ralph has left our world for the next. He influenced me to prefer self employment over the alternatives. In 1976, I was honored he chose me for back up in the moment he thought Lois was in mortal danger and am happy for them to now be reunited.

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Camino Del Sol Funeral Chapel & Cremation Center

13738 W Camino Del Sol, Sun City West, AZ 85375

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