John William Holden Jr.

October 25, 1987 - November 22, 2017

John William Holden, Jr. reached the end of his journey through life on the afternoon of November 22, 2017. Johnny began his journey in Houston, Texas on October 25, 1987, portending his impetuous personality by arriving five weeks ahead of schedule – he later said he didn’t want to miss Game 7 of the World Series that was being played that day. With the exception of a brief residence in Carmel, Indiana in 1990-1991, the childhood portion of Johnny’s journey was based in Houston, Texas. While a student at the Village School, Johnny was a member of Cub Scout Pack 37 and he eventually became an Eagle Scout as a member of Boy Scout Troop 1836. As a student of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, he acquired a love of the arts that complimented his natural skills in math and science. During his high school years, he obtained his first work experience as a courtesy clerk at his neighborhood Kroger store. After graduating from Strake in 2006, Johnny’s journey took him to Texas A&M University. As an indication of his gregariousness, and perhaps of his priorities, he complained to his parents that his biggest problem encountered in his first few days at the university was that his cell phone could only hold phone numbers for 200 people. Johnny joined Kappa Sigma fraternity and enjoyed college life to the fullest. This portion of his journey also included summers as a Research Intern at the Institute of Orthopedic Research and Education in the Texas Medical Center, a semester as a Co-op Student at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and another as a Co-op Student at Halliburton Drill Bits and Services in Conroe, Texas. At each of those stops along his journey, Johnny acquired friends as well as work experience. Lesly Bohuchot joined Johnny’s legion of friends when she met him at one of his legendary parties in 2008. Texas A&M University awarded Johnny a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in December of 2010. When his parents asked him for a suggestion of what might be a welcomed graduation present, Johnny invited them to accompany him on a road trip around the US to visit as many of his far-flung aunts, uncles and cousins as possible – Johnny always seemed to put time with family above material things. Desires for adventure and international work experience led Johnny to a position as Field Engineer for Schlumberger in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, beginning in March of 2011. For the next five years, Johnny typically worked 3-month periods in Saudi Arabia followed by one month of free time to travel. His travel periods usually brought him home to his family in Houston, but he made the most of the opportunities to see other parts of the world in the process. During those trips home, he always spent time with family and his friends – especially Lesly. In December of 2015, Lesly and Johnny glowingly announced their engagement. In September of 2016, friends and family from around the world descended upon the Italian isle of Capri to witness Lesly’s and Johnny’s wedding in his ancestral village of Anacapri. Johnny’s maternal grandparents married in that same village 70 years earlier and Johnny spent many summers of his youth in Anacapri. After their wedding, Johnny began an educational leave from Schlumberger to pursue a Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University. In the happiest part of his life’s journey, with great dreams for his future with Lesly, Johnny died suddenly on the day before Thanksgiving 2017, victim of a senseless multi-car collision on a Houston freeway. “His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, “This was a man.” - William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar (5.5.78-80) Although Johnny’s journey was far too brief, those who traveled with him became better people because of him. He had an unending curiosity and a hunger for adventure. Being swept along in his quests, or at least the retellings of them, his friends and family were enlightened to many mysteries of the world and nature. His desire, confidence and determination to master random new skills, such as learning to play a new musical instrument or obtaining a license as an Emergency Medical Technician, encouraged many to boldly try something new. Johnny placed relationships at the center of his world and dedicated himself to growing and nurturing the ties that bind us as humans. His selfless commitment to family and friends stands as a shining example. Above all, he loved, deeply and without judgment. His love is a priceless gift he leaves to each of us, most profoundly to Lesly, the love of his life. Johnny was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Hartford and Dagmar Holden. He is survived by his wife Lesly; his parents John and Diana Holden, Sr.; his mother-in-law Angelica Bohuchot; his maternal grandparents Charles and Bianca Cunningham; his sisters and brothers-in-law Debbie and Drew Bishop, Jane and Aaron Foster, Carolyn and John Grygar, and Jonathan Bohuchot; his niece, Olive Foster; his nephews Will Bishop, Thomas Bishop, Isaac Foster, and Aiden Grygar; his aunts and uncles Steve and Sandy Holden, Susan and Steve Mitze, Ryk and Robbin Holden, Jill and Dan Goon, Nancy and Brett Ostrowski, Richard and Lily Ann Cunningham, and Linda and Brian Cohan; his cousins Tony, David, Tracy, Cati, Betsy, Kari, Alyssa, Kyle, Kelsey, Kevin, Payton, Brittain, Elizabeth, Danielle, and Paula; his fantastic friends; and his loyal dog Bella. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, December 4, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. A reception and celebration of his life will follow Holy Mass on the church campus. The Aggie tradition of Silver Taps will be dedicated to Johnny on the evening December 5, 2017 on the campus of Texas A&M University. In accordance with Johnny’s wishes, his ashes will be interred in the garden of his ancestral home in Anacapri, Italy. In lieu of flowers, please give your hearts, time, and treasure to organizations dedicated to the values Johnny embodied: love, relationships, curiosity and adventure. Sleep well, sweet prince.