Source: Kinston Free Press, 11/12/11

KINSTON – Richard "Rick" Allen Holder passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa, friend, mentor and co-worker who will be dearly missed. He was born in Rocky Mount in 1949 to Myra Watson and Reginald (Dick) Britt Holder. He graduated from Grainger High School in 1968 and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1972 where he served as president of his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. Rick had over 35 years of experience in agriculture with direct responsibility for professional agricultural services ranging from custom application of seed, chemical and fertilizer inputs to custom harvesting and ginning of crops for L. Harvey & Son's. He served as President of Harvey Fertilizer & Gas Company since 1984. In 2010, he became Executive Vice-President of Farm Acquisitions for U. S. Farming Realty Trust. Rick was well known in agricultural circles and is the former President of the National Cotton Ginners Association, Past Chairman of the Golden LEAF Foundation, Director of Beltwide Cotton Cooperative, Treasurer of the N.C. Cotton Producers Association, President of the N.C. Cotton Producers Association, Director of the N.C. Agricultural Finance Authority, Director of the Pesticide Association of N.C. and Treasurer of the Southeastern Growers Association. In addition to his professional career, he found time to contribute time and leadership to his community. He was a faithful servant at First Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon and elder. He also served as a Director of the little bank, Salvation Army, Lenoir County Relay for Life and United Way. Most recently, he was named Lenoir County's 2010 Citizen of the Year. He loved spending time on the farm, playing golf, going to the beach and attending his grandsons' sporting events. He is survived by his loving wife, Beth Perry Holder of Topsail Beach; daughter, Allison Holder Troutman and husband, Nic of Wilmington and their sons Brae and Perry; son, Britt Allen Holder of Kinston; parents, Myra and Dick Holder of Kinston; and sister, Sandra Holder Davis and husband, Dwight of Raleigh. Visitation will be at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, November 15th from 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, November 16th at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at 1204 Dorcas Terrace, Kinston, N.C. at all other times. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 2101 N. Herritage Street, Kinston, NC 28501; and the Salvation Army, 2110 N. Queen Street, Kinston, NC 28501. Arrangements by Howard-Carter Funeral Home.