Philip Carlton Holden

Philip Carlton Holden, 79, of Jacksonville, passed away on October 19th, 2023. Philip was born on August 6, 1944 to Phyllis and Carlton Holden in Peabody, Massachusetts. After graduating from Perham High School in Minnesota in 1962, he attended the University of Iowa, obtaining a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Following college, he joined the United States Air Force and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While stationed in Germany, he met fellow Air Force Officer Charlene Chavez whom he married in 1973. Following the birth of his first son, Carl in 1975, Philip was stationed at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. His youngest son, Matthew, arrived in 1977. Philip retired from the Air Force in 1991 and settled in Jacksonville, Florida where he worked as a realtor with Watson Realty for nearly 20 years. Philip and Charlene enjoyed a golden retirement after sending their sons off to college, becoming avid Jaguars fans and spending time with family and friends at countless gatherings and special occasions. In his later years, Philip never lost his lust for life, despite undergoing a significant operation and lifestyle change in order to beat cancer, which he did. The sudden passing of Charlene in 2021 was an immense shock which took its toll on Philip, yet he remained upbeat and resolute. He had suffered from a slow but steady cognitive decline since retirement which accelerated suddenly in early 2023 resulting in his stay at a memory care home. Philip passed, surrounded by family, to the sounds of his granddaughter's poem read aloud. He was a big brother, a father to two fine sons and a proud grandfather of four beautiful grandchildren. Philip is survived by sons Carl (Amanda) and Matthew (Min), grandchildren Amity, William, Neil, and Claire along with nieces and nephews and in-laws, all of whom remember Philip as a dedicated husband, father and friend. Philip will be interred at Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors on April 19, 2024 at 12:30 pm.