Tyrus Craig Holden, 80, of New Palestine, passed away on July 8, 2014, in Greenfield. He was born Oct. 25, 1933, in Indianapolis, the only child of Clyde and Mary Hitzeman Holden. He married Dianne (Denney) October 17, 1959, who survives as his loving wife and best friend of 54 years.
He was a wonderful father and teacher to his three children and nine grandchildren. He is survived by daughters, Susie Hover (Mike) of Columbus, Ind., Sally Weese of Cumberland, Ind.; son, Craig Holden (Dawn) of Greenfield and grandchildren, Carley and Madison Woodard, Blake and Austin Hover, April, Jessica and Allison Hall, Hanna and Heidi Holden, and his cousin Mildred Hendryx of New Palestine.
Ty graduated from Warren Central High School and attended Tri-State University, Angola, Ind., majoring in engineering. He served in the Army for two years, and was stationed in France. He was employed at AT&T and retired after 30 years of service.
Ty had vast encyclopedic knowledge in many areas, which earned him the nickname “Britannica”. He held a U.S. Coast Guard license to navigate passenger carrying vessels, was a lifetime member of the NRA, a certified PADI open water diver, a lifetime member of the Communication Workers of America, and was a member of the New Palestine United Methodist Church.
Ty enjoyed weekends and vacations at his beloved Brown County cabin, and was a winter resident of the Florida Keys for many years.
Ty fought a long and courageous battle against multiple myeloma with grace and never a complaint. He was an inspiration to family and friends diagnosed with similar disease. Ty was featured in the 2005 National Bone Marrow Transplant Calendar, and was photographed for his profile SCUBA diving off the Florida Keys.
Ty’s wife Dianne and children Susie, Sally and Craig wish to thank family, friends and neighbors for the display of love and support during this difficult time for our family. We thank Dave, Bill and Tom, along with the other AT&T Retirees for their close contact with Ty over the years past retirement. Our family also extends sincere appreciation to Doctors Michael Fletcher, Thomas Whittaker, transplant nurses Sara and Kathleen, and all his many doctors, nurses and caregivers for the kind and compassionate care that allowed Ty to winter in Florida the last 12 years since treatment began.
In accordance with Ty’s wishes, cremation is planned, with burial on a reef off of the Florida Keys. A private family celebration of life will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 9075 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46260, or at www.lls.org.
Ty will be gone, but certainly not forgotten. He enjoyed a life well lived.
Online condolences may be left at www.hendryxmortuary.com
