Rady Gayland Holder

Rady Gayland Holder was born on October 16, 1933 in Wade, Oklahoma. He lived in Wade and Durant Oklahoma until 1946, when his mom, grandmother and youngest sibling moved to Houston. He met my mom, the love of his life when they were 14 years old, marrying her just after she graduated high school. They were married 61 years and he missed her every day after her passing 4-1/2 years ago.

They lived 51 years in the home they built in Tomball. How he loved his place! Two years after mom passed, and as his eyesight declined, he moved in with us. What a privilege to have him with us for the next 2-1/2 years. But oh, how he missed his own home and workshop and neighbors and friends.

Rady and Ella Faye attended Spring Baptist Church where they were very active. Daddy was always a behind the scenes type of man, supporting mom, being the “coffee man” for her classes, helping with people that needed their cars repaired, doing whatever anyone who had a need asked. After he was with us, and unable to see or hear well enough to attend church, he always watched his preachers on the TV on Sunday morning while we were at church.

Daddy worked from the time he was 14, helping support his family. He learned welding, pipe fitting, and auto mechanics. He worked many years in my grandfather’s transmission shop and after that was sold, had his own auto repair business at home.

Rady was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a founding member of the Tomball Gun Club and won many awards for his marksmanship. In his later years, he was in the unofficial “donut shop club” where met with his buddies and learned all the scoop on the goings on in Tomball. He had many friends, both at church and in the community.

He learned wood working from one of his buddies and made cabinets and shelves for my mom, and crosses as a hobby. They were his way to present the gospel of Jesus. He loved old gospel and old country western music, always playing it in the garage/shop while he was working.

My sister, Debbie, and I had a wonderful, secure childhood, knowing both our parents loved us deeply and loved each other.

The comments I have heard throughout the years, and more so these last days, are “a good friend; kind; generous; dependable; loving; gentle; simple; a good husband, father, grandfather, uncle; accepting; always willing to help; like a father to me; my safe place.” All these things are the qualities of Jesus, who he was modeling and serving in his own quiet way.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ella Faye; daughter, Debbie Finnell; brother, Kenneth Holder; and sister, Daisy Canon. He is survived by his daughter, Gayla Mathews (Mark), eight grandchildren and their spouses; twenty great grandchildren; brother, Garland Holder; sister, Susan Sherman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Daddy moved from this life to the next on April 26, 2023, surrounded by family who loved him and prayed over him. What a privilege it was to watch him go so peacefully. When you know Jesus, there is no fear in death. Without a doubt we know that he is in heaven with God. None of us will ever be the same for witnessing that, and we know we will join him one day.

In lieu of flowers, please honor him with a donation to Star of Hope Mission. www.sohmission.org