Michael "Mick" Holder

What greater honor can a man have than for his children to attest that he was a great example to follow? The course of Michael Mick Holders life was enriched by the many people that surrounded him, most of all, his family. Abundantly blessed with talent and ability, his big hearted nature and upbringing enabled him to lead a life he truly enjoyed with a level head and a smile on his face. He was the constant, driving and loving force that held his familys hearts, and who will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by those that knew and loved him. The end of World War II brought much prosperity as well as hope to America. By the end of the decade, the 1940s had witnessed much growth and the U.S. was thriving. The entertainment industry was at the top, the new Buick Roadmaster was the shape of things to come for the auto industry, and the post-war baby boom was in full swing. In Detroit, Michigan, Otto and Nadine Holder were in the midst of a baby boom of their own when on March 7, 1949, they celebrated the birth of their son Michael. The Holder family was a flurry of activity with seven children. Raised on a large piece of property, Mick grew up alongside siblings Ben, Emily, Marsha, Janine, Terry and Shelly. Micks father was a heavy machine operator and drove a truck for extra income while his mother was a homemaker. There was plenty to do, and Mick grew up tending to the horses, chickens and large garden they had acquired on their property along with the everyday adventures of youth. Being the close family that they were, Mick was often found pulling a prank or two, but it was Mick and sister Marsha that were always up to mischief as they were the main jokesters in the family. Mick attended the area schools and while in high school, was very active in sports where he developed a lifelong love for all types of athletics. He graduated from Troy High School in 1967 at a serious turning point in America. At the height of the Vietnam War, antiwar demonstrations were held across many campuses and the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. intensified existing racial tensions. Following graduation that year, Micks sister set him up with her friend, Carol Sue Braidwood. They went out on their first date to the Big Boy drive-in on Woodward Avenue, and that first date would forever change the course of their lives. Before long, the two fell deeply in love. Mick was drafted into the Army in September of 1968 just after Sue had graduated from Troy High School, but the miles between Troy, Michigan and El Paso, Texas couldnt keep their love from growing. They spent many hours on the telephone, writing letters and sending pictures to one another. During that Christmas holiday while home on leave, he asked Sue to marry him. They were blessed in marriage on July 19, 1969, and after their honeymoon on Bear Lake, they were on their way back to Fort Bliss in El Paso. Their apartment complex near the base housed many other newly married couples, and they and their new friends had fun at their many parties and even painted a peace sign on the bottom of the apartment complex pool. In 1970, Mick was discharged without his unit ever having to go to Vietnam, and they returned home to Troy, Michigan where Mick went back to work at the post office. Before long, they welcomed the birth of Jennifer and soon after, Joseph. As a family, they were as active as any family could be. Mick relished the time he spent with his family, and loved being a dad. Every summer brought a family vacation, and many Labor Day weekends were spent camping with their lifelong friends at Camp Chisolm in Hillman, Michigan. Mick and his family also spent many spring break vacations in Naples, Florida, another of Mick and Sues favorite places. Even when they werent on vacation, there was always fun happening at the Holder house, especially in their backyard where motorcycle rides, volleyball, baseball, swimming, kick-the-can, wolfman and even the occasional mud fight brought kids and adults alike to play. Their home was always filled with laughter, friendly competition, and most importantly, love. As their children grew, Mick and Sue were very involved in their childrens lives. A proud and dedicated father, Mick loved to watch Jenny play volleyball and basketball, and was sure to be there for every track and cross-county meet. Just the same, he loved going to Joes football, basketball and volleyball games along with his track meets. Athletics was a constant in the Holder household, and Mick and Sue were just as active as their kids. They played in softball and volleyball leagues, bowled with friends, and began to take up the game of golf. Mick stayed fit throughout the year by lifting weights in his garage, and he inspired friends from work, his family and even some of their friends to work out with him. It was a proud day for Mick when his children began college. Jenny attended Grand Valley State University and Joe, Western Michigan University. It was then that Mick and Sue began to travel. For their 25th wedding anniversary, they celebrated with a wonderful trip to Hawaii where they made lasting memories and more priceless memories were made during their trips to Arizona, Wyoming, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. After 37 years at the post office, Mick settled into retirement years. With the kids grown and having families of their own, Mick and Sue moved to Twin Lake, Michigan to be closer to them and their grandchildren. Their son, Joe, built their home on Sweet Lake, and it was Jenny and Joe that discovered the picturesque property for their parents. Once again, their home became a place of laughter and fun for their family. Outside they enjoyed fishing, kayaking, looking for animals, swinging on the tire swing down by the lake, and having bonfires. Micks gym was now in his basement as was the pool table he had always wanted. Mick and Joe spent much time playing pool together just as Mick and his dad had done when he was young. Things couldnt have been better, and when Mick landed his dream job as a groundskeeper at Chase Hammond Golf Course, he was in his glory. With the exception of their time in El Paso, Mick and Sue had always lived on the east side of the state, so the past five years of discovering all that West Michigan has to offer, like the Winter Sports Complex and the many golf courses and beaches, was truly a joy. From the day they were born, Micks grandchildren Trevor, Meghan and Keira became a huge part of Micks life. He delighted in them and spent time with them at every opportunity. He had a special gift of being able to hold them like no one else did, rock them tenderly and sing to them like only he could. Before long, they would fall fast asleep in their grandfathers loving arms. As a talented and gifted painter, Mick drew pictures of his grandchildren and painted a beautiful mural of the Naples Pier in his basement complete with the jumping dolphins for his family to forever enjoy. This past February, Mick was diagnosed with Leukemia and although he fought a courageous battle against it, a cure was not meant to be. At the age of 60, Michael Mick Holder died on Friday, July 24, 2009. A gifted man, Mick was a talented artist, quick witted and level headed with great athletic ability. A loving family man, dedicated worker and loyal friend, he leaves behind many and will be sadly missed.