B Aubert Holaday III

Lt. Col. B Aubert Holaday III, USMC & Naval Aviator Ret. “Bo” of Friendswood, Tx. passed early January 04, 2025 at the age of 90. Born March 26, 1934 to B A Holaday Jr. and Louise (Lucas) Holaday in Greenville, MS and residing in Louise, MS. Bo graduated from Gulf Coast Military Academy “GCMA” in Gulfport, attended Moorehead, and then Ole Miss, before he and his cousin “Billy” enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1953. After Paris Island, Bo was assigned to Clarksville base to guard nuclear weapons. A liaison asked if he was happy at the post. He was not. Having ROTC and two years of university, he was offered an opportunity to join the Naval Cadet Program and become a Naval Aviator. After his commissioning in 1956, his squadron, HMR-363, was assigned to the USS Badoeng Strait to support the Operation Redwing Atomic Warfare Testing at Enewetak Atol. Bo served as a helicopter pilot ferrying scientists and monitoring equipment before and after each atomic bomb detonation. In 1956, while home on leave, on August 28, his cousin Billy and girlfriend Bertie Ann contacted Emily Lou Souter and asked if she would date Bo. The two couples ate in Pace at Emily’s home and then went dancing at the V.F.W. in Ruleville. Bo returned to his station in California and asked Emily to come visit. October 17 was the first time Emily had seen the Pacific Ocean. Bo took her to Balboa Island, Laguna Beach, & El Toro Marine Jet Base. That Friday, Bo took Emily to Disneyland and then had supper at the Hurley Bill where Bo asked her to marry him. The two were married on December 27, 1956 at the Methodist Church in Pace. Early in 1957, Bo shipped out to serve in Japan for two years while Emily lived and taught school in Louise, Ms. After his return, the couple returned to Ole Miss so that Bo could complete his Mechanical Engineering Degree. Bo served as Chairman of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and graduated in 1961. The couple moved to Pasadena, Tx where Bo accepted a position with Ethyl Corporation and Emily taught at Mae Smyth Elementary. Bo re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves. Bo’s exposure to radiation, at first, prevented them from having children. In 1964 they chose to seek adoption. They adopted Walter in 1964 & Melissa “Missy” in 1966. They moved to North Houston to the Klein School District and were blessed with a son, Patrick in 1972. Avid football fans, the couple held season tickets for Houston Oilers & Ole Miss games. After completing 20 years of service, Bo retired from the Corps in 1978. Bo climbed through the ranks at Ethyl. The company spun Albemarle off in 1994. Bo retired as the facility Maintenance Manager in 1996. In retirement, they traveled, attending all the Ole Miss games they could manage, making new friends along the way. Bo is survived by son, Walter Holaday; daughter-n-law, Vicki Holaday; daughter & son-n-law, Missy & Jimmy Cassel; granddaughters, Brandi Holaday, Lindsey Cassel, Ashlyn Cassel, Dusti Bazzy, & Carri Lockwood; Great grandchildren Alazae & spouse Brandon Collins, Aidyn Vega, & Beau Holaday. Great-great grandson, Damon. Bo is preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Emily Holaday; sister, Margeret “Peggy” Trammell; son, Patrick Holaday, & great grandson, Justin Vega. His favorite sayings: “Hang Loose Mother Goose”, “1, 2, 3, 4, I love the Marine Corps!”, and “Hotty Toddy!”. Visitation will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church Friendship Court, 12955 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079 from 1100hrs to 1300hrs. Committal service will follow at 1400hrs at the Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementia research or to Veterans Affairs in honor of Bo Holaday.

B Aubert Holaday III

March 26, 1934 - January 4, 2025