Ralph Lear Holman

Ralph Lear Holman passed away on July 17, 2024, at the age of 99 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Mr. Holman was born in Russellville, Kentucky, to the late Marion A. Holman and Addie Gertrude Holman.  He married Mary Gordon Miller of Adairville, Kentucky, in 1943, and they were united for 73 years until her death in 2017.  He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945 aboard the USS New Mexico in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.  He graduated from Western Kentucky State College and subsequently earned a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky. He briefly taught woodworking before joining Holley Carburetor in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  He retired in 1985, after thirty-two years of service, in the positions of plant engineer and production superintendent.  He was a long-term member of First Baptist Church of Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he served as a Deacon.  He was an accomplished woodworker all of his life.  With all of his endeavors, including woodworking, he would say, “ It only takes a little bit more to go first class .”  This was evident in everything he accomplished.

He is survived by his admiring son, Joseph R. Holman, MD, and wife Amy Holman, formerly of Gastonia, North Carolina; grandchildren, Erin Holman Pieper, Julie Holman McCarter, and Joseph Collings Holman; granddaughter-in-law Natalie Holman, and grandsons-in-law, Eric Pieper and Matthew McCarter.  He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, July 28, at 3:30 pm, at the Park Pointe Village Community Room, 3025 Chesbrough Blvd, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 29732.

Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Arrangements are by Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home of Rock Hill, SC.

Friends may offer condolences via the guestbook provided.