Retired Lt. Col. Arnold Waldon Holder, 83, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Harbor Hospice House in Beaumont, Texas. He was born on August 1, 1930 in Prescott, Arkansas to the late Ira Arnold and Katie Hooks Holder. He served his country proudly in the U. S. Army National Guard. He was a member of Proctor Baptist Church in Port Arthur.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland with Rev. Dr. Rick Erwin and Rev. Frank Hodges officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2013 at the funeral home.
Arnold is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Jacqueline Wyona Buckner Holder. He is survived by his wife, Margurite Richardson Holder of Port Arthur; son, James Waldon Holder of Hemphill; step-son, Dale F. Bates of Port Arthur; daughter, Shannon Holder Gann of Nederland; grandchildren, Shonda and Mikal Weaver, Kerri and Joshua Sheppard, Stephanie and Christopher Justice, Clifford Burke, Jr., James Andrew and Cara Holder; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Benni Jo Kelley of Port Arthur; and numerous nieces and nephews.