Garlan Holden

Garlan Holden, age 91 of Jonesboro, escaped the bonds of earth and passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, right behind his beloved wife, Gaenelle Holden.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Greenbriar Cemetery with Pastor Matt Dossey officiating.

Garlan was born October 9, 1934 to the late Elmer Purl and Birdie May Hurst Holden in Gatesville, Texas. He grew up and attended school in Jonesboro, graduating from Jonesboro High School in 1953. He met the love of his life, Gaenelle Adair and convinced her to marry him when they were very young. They had a lifetime commitment of doing everything together, helping each other as they raised their family and helping others in the community. He was a kind, gentle man. Gaenelle always smiled as he went around hugging each lady at the Jonesboro Quilting Club where she was a member. Garlan was a man with a servant’s heart. He worked for several years as a barber and later retired from the Texas Department of Transportation as a supervisor. He raised his four daughters in White Settlement while spending many years coaching girls’ softball, while Gaenelle ran the concession stand. The City of White Settlement honored he and Gaenelle by naming the girls’ softball field, Holden Field, a lasting tribute that still stands today. Upon retirement, they moved back to Jonesboro where they continued to serve the community and spent countless hours helping the children at Jonesboro ISD. They never missed, rain or shine, any school related sports activity and were honored by the athletic booster club with a scholarship in their name that is awarded every year. Garlan was also a Master Mason in Good Standing at Southside Masonic Lodge, No. 114, located in Fort Worth, Texas.

Garlan was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Gaenelle Holden; daughter, Regina Goodman and husband, Jerry; sisters, Ella Hollingsworth and husband Pat, Estelle Boynton and husband Lewis, and Neoma Southerland; brothers, Travis Holden, Raye Holden and wife Mildred, Ernest Holden and Arthur “Sunny Boy” Holden; grandchildren, Melanie LeDelle Goodman, David Duane Anderson, and Robert Edward Anderson IV.

He is survived by daughters, Dawnelle Walker and husband Jay, Annette Kizewic, and Donna Holden; grandchildren, Amber Dawn Smith, John Garlan Baker, Stephanie Woolsey, Jennifer Rangel (Rachel), Ira Goodman (Traci), Joshua Kizewic (Kaylie); great grandchildren, Autumn Baker (Christian), Jed Smith (Ashlee), Quentin Brucker (Kenzie), Jaron Brucker (Morgan), Ellē Baker, James Ryan Kizewic, Kayson Kizewic, Kinzlie Kizewic, Jace Cooper Kizewic, Memphis Goodman, Maverick Goodman, and Milo Goodman; and great-great grandchildren, Baker Castillo, and Leonie Smith; numerous nieces and nephews; and the son he never had, Danny Meeks and wife Glenda.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Garlan may be made to the Greenbriar Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 85, Jonesboro, Texas 76538.