Davis Talmadge Holder of Eatonton died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013.

He was born Sept. 17, 1932, to Katie Josephine Royal Holder and Charlie Patrick Holder. He was the second of four children.

He was predeceased by his sister, Faye Holder Bryant and brothers, Kenneth Holder and Jimmy Nat Holder.

He and his wife, Mozelle, married March 3, 1954. She had her eye on him from the time she was in seventh grade, when she saw him washing the windows outside her classroom at school. She told her friend that one day she was going to marry that boy, and she did.

He worked for the Enterprise Aluminum Company for 18 years and then became a farmer and owner of Holder Fertilizer Company.

Besides his wife of more than 58 years, he is survived by his son, Andy, and daughter-in-law, Diane; his daughter, Dixie Holder Turk, and son-in-law, Earnest; four grandchildren, Brandy Turk Huskins, and husband Chris; Rachel Turk Lewis, and husband, Jeffrey; JD Talmadge Holder; and Crystal Holder Collis, and husband, Ty; and seven great-grandchildren, Cam, Lily Grace and Sylvie Kate Huskins; Charlie Drake Lewis; Hunter JD Holder; Daisy Holder; and Andrew Collis.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman from his childhood until his death. Few have done more to promote and preserve the sport for future generations.

In his final years, one could hardly have a conversation with him when he didn't ask how much longer it was until Mozelle took him back to South Dakota to go pheasant hunting.

He gave his life to Christ and was saved in 1975. He was officially certified by the Methodist church to be a lay speaker in 2002 and was ordained as a minister by Pastor Wendall Thomas Sept. 26, 2005.

He preached at Central Methodist Church for many years until his health began failing him. He never wanted people to talk about what he did; he just wanted to know that the people he preached and ministered to knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The family wishes to express its deep appreciation to Darrell McIntire who was more help to us in caring for granddaddy over the past few years than we can put into words.

The family received friends Monday, Jan. 21, prior to a graveside service at Friendship Church in Eatonton. Pastor Carol Davis officiated.

Andy Holder gave the welcome and opening words. Pastor Wendall Thomas gave a message, and Chris Huskins gave special thanks on behalf of the family and told tales of hunting with him.

Others also came forward to speak not only his great love of hunting but of Jesus Christ and the many lives he touched by witnessing for the Lord while he was living. Dudley Horton closed the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Friendship Church, 329 Hillsboro Road, Eatonton, GA 31024.