Donald Lee Holder, Sr.

MSgt. Donald Lee Holder, Sr. (ret.) age 91 of Mount Airy passed away on Friday evening, August 30, 2024, at Northern Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Holder was born in Surry County on December 3, 1932, to the late Woodrow Holder and Margie Burcham McCormick. Don proudly served in the United States Air Force for 23 years. After retiring he learned the trade of manufacturing cultured marble. In 1976 Don returned to Mt. Airy, and along with his wife Doris founded LL Cultured Marble. Don believed in making the community a better place. He volunteered countless hours working with the Mt. Airy Airport Authority and local VFW. Mr. Holder donated the property and worked with local business owners, who donated materials and labor, to create the Surry County Veterans Cemetery. Mr. Holder was the recipient of the 2009 Surry County Volunteer Of The Year award. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Surviving are his wife Doris Nell Bush Holder, daughters and sons-in-law, Delinda Holder Hawks and Brad, Debra Holder Walker and Bob; son and daughter-in-law, Donnie Holder, Jr. and Dianne; grandchildren, Mandy Walker Saxon and Billy, Justin Hawks, David Lee Hawks; great-grandchildren, Marshall Saxon, Quinn Saxon, Lukcus Hawks, Cheyenne Hawks, Dakota Hawks, Ty Hawks; sisters and brother-in-law, Jewel Holder Stanley, Nancy Holder Baity and Jim; brother, Raymond Holder; half-sister, Vivan Seal; half-brothers Reverend Sam Holder, Reverend Butch Holder; along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Holder was preceded in death by sister, Louise Holder Michaels; two half-sisters; Betty Jean Phipps, Mary Becker. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Surry County Veterans Cemetery with Mr. Brad Hawks officiating. Full military rites will be conducted by VFW Honor Post 2019 Mount Airy and Post 9436 Pilot Mountain. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars, c/o Harlan Hawks, 285 Pine Ridge Trail, Pinnacle, North Carolina 27043. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy has been entrusted with the arrangements.