of Paris, AR
May 28, 1930 - November 17, 2017
Warren G. Holden, Jr., 87, a resident of Paris passed away Friday, November 17, 2017, at his residence.
He was born May 28, 1930 in Newark, Delaware to the late Warren Carmen Holden, Sr. and Edith (McCarn) Holden. He was retired from the United States Army after 28 years of service. Warren was part of the only parachute unit in the Korean War. He served in surveillance and reconnaissance making two combat jumps in May of 1953. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and Bronze Star Medal for valor in Korea.
He then applied for the Army's Special Forces Program and was assigned to the 77th Special Forces at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He became one of the first Special Forces Americans on duty in Vietnam serving two six month tours with a Special Forces A-Team, which, with twelve men, was the smallest operational detachment of the Special Forces. He returned to Vietnam in 1964 with the Fifth Special Forces Group spending a second year in country. He was then assigned to the Sixth Special Forces Group traveling to Malaysia where he spent two months training British Special Forces.
Chief Sargent Master Holden wore the highest of three parachute awards, The Master Parachutist Badge and is high altitude, low opening (HALO) qualified. HALO jumping is a tactical free-fall of several thousand feet, followed by parachute opening at a minimal altitude. He also wore two awards of the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Bronze Star Medals for valor and two for meritorious service, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
Warren was a husband, a father, a brother, a friend and a member of the Paris community since 1975. Warren was kind, disciplined, and loved to hunt. He loved hunting game from South Africa, South America, the Arctic Circle, China, Malaysia and the Korean Peninsula but never felt more at home then when he was able to hunt on Mt. Magazine where he and his wife spent hundreds of hours hunting ducks, deer and trapping in Logan County. He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Paris.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Elizabeth (Smith) Holden and a brother, Clark Holden.
Survivors include a daughter, Diane Holden Jones and husband, S. Kent of Columbus, Montana; a sister, Carol Ann Holden of Middleburg, Virginia; a nephew, Shelby Clark of Tampa, Florida and his close companion, Betty Bowman of Paris.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at the First Assembly of God in Paris with the Rev. Kenny Maness officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris. Online guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/paris.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Hardwicke, Jerry Martin, Eric Wells, Steve Willman, Scotty Fox and Shelby Clark.
Memorials may be made to Peachtree Hospice, 2910 Jenny Lind Road, Building 4, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or contribute to your own stock account.
Our condolences to the family of Mr. Warren. He was an enjoyable soul who we became instant friends with when he came to Thibodaux for a fishing trip on Grand Isle with Pastor Kenny. Our prayers with you all. God bless from Harold & Sheryle
So sorry for your loss may you find peace and comfort in the words spoken at 2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4" ( 3) Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, (4 ) who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at Revelation 21:3,4
(3) "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. (4)
And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away".
Great outdoorsman who will be missed. Rick Lowe
Condolences to the family. Warren was a faithful member of Paris First Assembly of God church. We will miss him as a part of the church family.
Sad to hear about the loss of a good friend. Praying for your family. -Doyle Benson
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during your time of loss. He was our neighbor for over 45 years. He was a very friendly neighbor. His garden was the envy of the town. Memories are a wonderful thing. Prayers!