Howard Leon Holder, Sr.,  94, passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Ruston, Louisiana. Howard was born January 5, 1927 to Robert Green Holder and Bobbie Estelle Barnett, the oldest of three children.  He attended Dubach High School and graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1947 with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering.  Howard served in the United States Army during WWII, as a non-commissioned officer.  He met and married his wonderful wife of more than 65 years, Mary Jeanette Flaherty, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He and Mary Jeanette resided in El Paso, Texas and raised their family of 7 children for 46 years. He later returned and spent the last years of his life at the home place in Dubach, Louisiana that he loved, surrounded by family, cats and dogs. 

He had a long and successful career at El Paso Natural Gas Company where he was Chief Process Engineer. He served in executive positions of the American Gas Association and the American Gas Processors Association, traveling in his later years as a consultant to global, Fortune 100 oil and gas companies, brokering deals in Russia, Venezuela, China, Germany, and the UK.

Howard was dedicated to his family; he coached little league baseball for many years. He taught his children how to raise and train horses, showing each child a love of the outdoors by training them all in hunting and fishing skills. He was an avid golfer, and possessed an incredible knowledge of southwestern history and geography. He passed to his children the love of learning and reading, and was known for engaging in great conversations about history and humanity. He also had a special affinity for Brittany Spaniel hunting dogs and his gun collection and competed in many field trials with his dogs.

Howard is preceded in death by his spouse, Mary Jeanette Holder and his sister, Lovenia Clements. He is survived by brother Joe Holder, children are Curtis and Debbie Burnham of Bixby, Oklahoma, Larry and Oxana Burnham of Vancouver, Washington, Howard Leon Holder Jr. and Kathy Holder of Vancouver, Steve Holder of Medellin, Colombia, Mark Holder of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Greg Holder of Vancouver, and MaryAnn Holder-Browne and Ewan Browne of Dallas, Texas.  He was beloved by his 16 grandchildren, Tracy Burnham, Joe Burnham, Josh Burnham, David Burnham, Simeon Burnham, Mariya Burnham, Michael Burnham and Luka Burnham,  Faith Holder Gallegos, Evan Holder, Alexandra Holder, Mitchell Holder, Lee Holder, Aidan Browne, Estelle Browne, and Julian Browne.  He also had 2 great-grandchildren; Ava Gallegos and Audrey Gallegos.

There will be a celebration of his life in Ruston, Louisiana on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10:00 am at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel, and interment will be at Hamilton Cemetery in Dubach, Louisiana, under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. A reception will follow in Dubach, Louisiana.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.