Francis "Pup" Holden's Obituary
Francis Holden, 94, of Culpeper passed peacefully on January 22, 2020 at The Culpeper surrounded by loving family. He was born June 21, 1925 in Harrington, Delaware to the late Charles and Rachel Rebecca Holden. He was the youngest of 12 children.
Pup is best remembered by his ever-present loving smile and joy for life; he was an eternal optimist. He was a friend, role-model, and community leader. Pup loved people and when he entered the room, his joyous spirit uplifted everyone present. Whether a longtime friend or new acquaintance, Pup took the time and invested his energy in making everyone else feel special; he was kind, generous, and thoughtful of all people.
Pup was a Marine, an entrepreneur, world traveler, avid golfer, and dancer. In 1943, he joined the Marines and proudly served in World War II (and even played the clarinet in a marine band.) As a Marine, he served in the Pacific including the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Okinawa, Kuma Shima, and China.
Pup was also a successful businessman and serial entrepreneur. In business, he was forward thinking and visionary. His business career began at Playtex where for 21 years he managed plants in Canada, Australia, and United States. During the next 20 years, he led plants at Aileen, a women’s clothing manufacturer. Along with these leadership roles, he owned Eagle Ford. After retirement, he and his wife, Janet Holden, started one of the top real estate businesses in Culpeper, The Holden Group. During this time, he became a partner in a travel agency, another of his all-time loves - traveling.
Pup was a world traveler. He is a member of the “all 50 club” as he visited all the U.S. States. He traveled beyond the United States and visited over 25 foreign countries – spanning all but Antarctica (his grandson, Rick Carroll, recently visited this continent and we are sure Pup lived vicariously through this adventure). Golf was another important hobby and he was a proud member of the Hillbilly Golf Circuit in Culpeper and played on many golf courses around the world, to include the Old Golf Course at St Andrews in Scotland. Besides traveling and golf, Pup was a world-class dancer. He was an Arthur-Murray ballroom dance teacher. But more than this, he loved to dance.
Pup is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Janet Holden and his two children, Lois Benson and her husband, Dr. Robert Scott Benson, and Holly Case; two stepchildren, Pamela Eng and her husband Joseph and Jill Hinson; nine grandchildren, Rick Carroll, Michael Carroll and his wife Brittney, Anna Holliday Benson (Holly), Dr. Megan Benson Pratt and her husband Dr. Jerry Pratt, Tiffany Torres and her husband Jose, Brandon Jenkins, Cole Hinson, Dean Hinson, and Hannah Eng; and four great-grandchildren, Annie Pratt, Ben Pratt, Madison Carroll and Carter Carroll. Pup was also predeceased by his son-in-law Ty Case.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, January 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Culpeper Presbyterian Church, 215 S. Main Street, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Parking will be available at the bottom lot of the Culpeper Baptist Church with van service beginning at 10 a.m. to transport people to the Presbyterian Church.
Immediately following the service, the family welcomes everyone to join them for a luncheon and celebration at The Culpeper Country Club, 2100 Country Club Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701.
Burial will be private at the Culpeper National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Francis "Pup"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Francis "Pup"?
Share a story where Francis "Pup"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Francis "Pup" you’ll never forget.
How did Francis "Pup" make you smile?
