Edward Douglas Holder

1927 - 2017

Edward Douglas Holder
age 87, passed away Friday, January 6, at The Pines Nursing Home. Edward graduated from Bowman High School in Mitchell County, North Carolina. He served as a member of the Seabees in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. He contributed to the construction of a runway for our forces to land on the island of Okinawa. After marrying Mary, he began a long and successful career as a mason contractor here in Canton. He and Mary joined Canton Baptist Temple, and were lifetime members, watching the church grow from 15th Street to its current location. He and Mary devoted many hours to gathering clothes and donations for the needy in Arizona and New Mexico. Not until they were well into their sixties, did they slow down to take time enjoying vacations in Las Vegas. They built a winter home in Florida, and for several years traveled back and forth. Edward never really retired, though, always going down to his buildings to maintain and supervise. Stephan, his son, could be found by his side the last ten years of his life.
Edward was preceded in death by his lifelong companion, Mary Alice Holder; his sisters Joann Silver, and Martha Gouge; and brother, Bobby Holder. He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie (Steve) Hunter, and Margaret (Russell) Lebo; sons, Mark (Shirley) Holder, and Stephan (Cathy Lowman) Holder; sister, Jean Willis from Spruce Pine, N.C.; brother, Charles Bruce Holder from Canton; eight grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 13, at the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home. Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., one hour before services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.