AJ Holder
1926 - 2007

AJ. Holder, age 80 retired U.S. Navy Chief, & State of Florida Juvenile Corrections Officer, died at Gulf Breeze Hospital on Sunday February 25, 2007 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. Holder was born on October 20th, 1926 in the town of Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He attended grade school there, and answered the calling of military service during World War II after entering the military while just age 15. He spent the next 27 years serving in the Pacific, Asia, Mediterranean, and the Atlantic basins while in the U.S. Navy. His career spanned WWII, The Korean Conflict, Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1969 as a Chief Boatswains Mate.

He married the former Ruby Jewell Moore of Etowah County Alabama on November 2nd 1951 in Lucedale Mississippi, and remained married to her until her death in 1972. He later married the former Lillian Gean Rigby of Gulf Breeze FLin 1973.

A.J. is survived by his wife, Gean, his sons Alan and his children Angela and Stacey, and John and his wife Barbara and their children Kathryn, Jennifer, and Amanda, his daughter Virginia and her children Cindy and Patricia, and his stepchildren James, and Kay and her children Candy and Sparkle. He is also survived by his Sister Laney, and Brother Billy. In addition to his parents Alvin Lee Holder, and Maudena Watson Holder, he was preceded in death by a bother and sister, Robert Lee, and Ida. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In retirement, A.J. was an avid golfer with a near scratch handicap, and also spent a lot of time with his closest friends playing gentleman's poker. Always an avid Gardener and amateur horticulturist A.J. loved to work with flowers & all plants in general.

The family received friends at BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Private services were held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you instead make a contribution to the American Cancer Society in his name.