John Benton Holdridge, age 87, beloved husband, father and grandfather, was called to his eternal home on Saturday, January 17, 2026. He entered this world on September 13, 1938 in Gorman, Texas born to W.C. and Margie Holdridge of DeLeon, Texas. He is survived by his daughter, Linda O'Neal, his son-in-law Bickom O'Neal and his grandson Casey O'Neal. He was preceeded in death by his son Gary Holdridge and his wife Julia Holdridge.

John obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from TCU where he met Julia Shaw, the love of his life, in a violin class in 1959. They married in 1961 and they moved on to Virginia Beach, Virginia where he served as an officer in the Army. He was granted early release to accept a position in Munday, Texas as a Band Director of a High School there in 1963. Though he loved music, he soon learned it was tough to support a family with a music career and went on to obtain his Master of Education and then moved the family to Mesquite, Texas where he served as a school counselor for Vanston Middle School until he retired. He was a kind and loving father, grandfather and husband with a seriously dry sense of humor. We will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will not be held but you may make a donation in John's memory to the American Cancer Society.