Sam Ray Holden Jr.

Sam was born in Vinton on July 25, 1925, to Jewell and Sam Holden, Sr. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and book reader. He played football and basketball in high school and graduated Salutatorian of Vinton High School in 1942. He attended McNeese Junior College and joined the Air Force cadet program in 1943. He trained as a celestial navigator and was preparing to deploy to Japan when the war ended.

He then attended LSU as a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated in Petroleum Engineering in 1948. He worked for Gulf Oil Corporation until being recalled by the Air Force to serve as a celestial navigator during the Korean War. Upon returning from the Korean War, he entered into business with his father in an oilfield construction and trucking company in Sulphur.

Sam met the love of his life, Catherine, while they were both attending LSU, and they married in 1947. They went on to have seven children and later adopted another daughter. Sam was very proud of his children, including two doctors, an attorney, a professional photographer, an engineer, a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner, and a CEO of a Christian nonprofit.

Sam considered a decision to join Henning United Methodist Church as perhaps the most important factor in the lives of the Holden family. This led to his commitment to Jesus Christ and many opportunities for service within his church and community as a leader, counselor, and mediator. He sang in the church choir, was a church school teacher, and served as chairman of commission on education, lay leader, chairman of pastor parish commission, lay speaker, chairman of council of ministries, president of Teen House, and president of Help Line.

Sam will be remembered by everyone who knew him as a kind-hearted and gentle soul who never hesitated to reach out and provide loving spiritual counsel to anyone in need.

Sam is survived by his wife Catherine of 70 years, brother Joe Ben Holden, MD, sisters Edith Kessler and Margo Racca, brother-in-law Jim Racca, Doctor of Chiropractic; children are Matthew Holden, MD, Mark Holden, Esquire, Steve Holden, Keith Holden, MD, Mike Holden, Dianne Calhoun, RN, Laura Stawicki, CANP, and Susan Lana Hafner. Children by marriage are Lana, Vicki, Elaine, Lena, Scott, Kelly, Mike, Adrian, David, and Michael. Sam had 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Services for Sam will be held on Friday, the 29th at 10 am at Henning Memorial United Methodist Church with Reverend Ellen Alston officiating. Burial will follow in Mimosa Pines Cemetery in Carlyss under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial. The family will receive friends on Thursday, the 28th from 4 pm to 8 pm at the funeral home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Henning Memorial United Methodist Church 404 S Huntington St. Sulphur, LA 70663 or One Touch Awakening, Inc. P.O. Box 16838 Lake Charles, LA 70616 or to the charity of one’s choice.