James Donald "Don" Holden

James Donald Holden James Donald Holden died on Saturday, December 28,2013at The age of81. Don was born in Cushing Creek, Oklahoma on August 26, 1932 in the depths of the Great Depression. He was raised in Oklahoma and near Houston, In Conroe, Texas by his parents and, after his mother’s death, his older sisters. He was the last survivor of a family of eleven siblings and left behind an enormous, warm extended family. Don was captivated by flight and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952. He served in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the US and retired on the MS Gulf Coast in 1974. After he retired from active military service, he was a long haul truck driver, and a bailiff in the Harrison County Courts, among other positions. He was a member and Past Potentate of Joppa Shrine Temple, and an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport for many years. For the last decade, he lived out his dream of a rural life with his family in Perkinston, MS. He continued to grow in character and in his Christian faith, and was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Wiggins where he attended the Bread of Life Sunday School class, served as an usher, and delighted in the fellowship of his church family. Don, called Big Pop and BeBop, is survived by a large mixed--‐up, blended family that is held together by the memory of his of love and humor. They include his beloved wife of 33 years, Diane, his children Josie Holden Bulla (Tripp Bulla) of Charlotte, NC, Mary Holden of Gulfport, Rick Corder of Gulfport, Robin Wood of Tulsa, OK and Ron Corder (Beth Corder) of Saucier, MS. His nine grandchildren and four great--‐ grandchildren will miss his warmth and his silly jokes and sayings. His two dogs will miss long belly rubs and afternoon naps while watching the New Orleans Saints. Don is also survived by an extended community of friends who he loved, and whose lives he influenced for the better by his choice to look for the positive and to remain optimistic.