Ray F. Holden, Jr.

Ray F. Holden, Jr., 84, passed away at his home on October 5, 2018. Ray is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Julia Elsie (Lyon) Holden and their children: Robert (Janet) Bowen, Morris Bowen and Gwen Le, Mertie (Christopher) Pozzi, Sue (Raymond) Rudolph, Julie (Charles) Kenyon, Eric Holden and Jamie Southerland, Rebecca Holden and fianc Jim Fleming, Tiffany Holden and Jody Forrest, Ashley (Chad) Wilcox; 28 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, a great-great-grandson; his sister, Winnifred Winnie Gwyn, several nieces and nephews and his dog, Scrappy. In addition to his parents Ray F. Sr. and Josephine Holden, he was predeceased by his brothers Edward and Douglas. Ray was a graduate of Union Endicott High School and served as a pilot in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from IBM, Endicott following many years of service and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was also a member of the Sampson AFB Veteran Assoc. and attended the First Baptist Church of Maine, NY. In addition to raising their own family, Ray and Julia were loving foster parents to almost 100 children for 39 years all of whom will remember Ray as a compassionate, fun-loving, goofy, supportive and sometime even stubborn man who loved air shows, old cars, stock car racing, football and baseball. He was totally involved with all of his kids, coached little league and was THE taxi driver for many, many games and events. He will be greatly missed. Rays family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 4-6 pm at the MacPherson Funeral Home in Newark Valley. A Funeral Service and Celebration of his Life will be held there on Monday at 11 am. Burial will follow in Maine Cemetery where military honors will be accorded. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in his memory are asked to kindly consider Lourdes Hospice or The Alzheimer Assoc. Memories and condolences may also be written in his guestbook at macphersonfh.com Visitation MacPherson Funeral Home Sunday, October 07, 2018 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 5 Whig St Newark Valley, NY 13811 Directions Funeral Service MacPherson Funeral Home Monday, October 08, 2018 11:00 AM 5 Whig St Newark Valley, NY 13811 Directions