Curtis Holder

WINSTON SALEM - Curtis Ray Holder, age 83, passed away on June 6, 2019 at The Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born July 27, 1935 in Pinnacle, lived most of his adult life in Stanleyville, and his later years in Winston-Salem.

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Oscar and Stella Sisk Holder; a brother, James William “JW” Holder; and two sisters, Audrey Bowen and Gladys Sands.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol Steele Holder; daughter, Temple Kennedy (Daniel); son, Stan Holder (April); three grandchildren, Nicholas and Matthew Kennedy and Henderson Holder; a brother, Oneal Holder (Virginia); a sister, Almeta Bowen.

Curtis graduated from Pinnacle High School in 1955 where he played varsity baseball for 4 years, varsity basketball for 4 years, and was the Stokes County Free Throw Champion in 1954.  After graduation, he worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for over 30 years, retiring in 1989.

Curt loved playing golf, often shooting his age from his mid-60s through his early 70’s. He made a remarkable 10 holes-in-one, including an unbelievable two aces in one round.  Anyone who knew Curt also knew that spending time at Belews Lake was an important part of his life, and he loved riding his wave runner, named “GranCurt’s Rocking Chair” and hosting cookouts for his family, friends, and church family.

Curtis was a member of the United Methodist Church, and for many years played Andrew in “The 13 Fishermen”, a live re-enactment of The Last Supper, sponsored by Ogburn Memorial UMC. After moving to Winston-Salem, he was an active member of Burkhead United Methodist Church.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Burkhead UMC. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 1:45 pm prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to Burkhead UMC, 5250 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.