Charles B. Holder, Jr., a man of strong values, a relentless work ethic, and unwavering dedication to the Lord, passed away on December 16, 2024, leaving a legacy of resilience, innovation, and service. Born on February 3, 1939, in Louin, Mississippi, Charles was the eldest child of C.B. and Wilma Holder. After the early loss of his parents, he displayed remarkable independence and determination. Although his younger sister Charlene went to live with their aunt and uncle, Charles chose to remain on his own during the last four years of high school.

Charles graduated from Louin High School in 1956, where he excelled academically and athletically, earning a basketball scholarship to Jones County Junior College. After two years at Jones, Charles set his sights on a degree in engineering at Mississippi State University. However, his path was not without obstacles. Lacking the required Plane Geometry course from high school, he enrolled in night classes at Starkville High School to complete the prerequisite while also taking junior engineering courses at MSU during the day. In true Charles fashion, his determination and stubbornness saw him through, and he earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in January of 1961. His commitment to excellence was evident during his time at MSU, where he served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and was inducted into the Pi Tau Sigma Honorary Mechanical Engineering Fraternity.

Charles's professional journey began at Tennessee River Pulp and Paper Company, but his sense of duty brought him back to Louin to care for his younger sister following their uncle's passing. Settling into the home where he was raised, Charles joined Northern Electric Company (NECO) in Bay Springs, Mississippi, where he honed his skills in design and innovation. In 1963, Charles founded Southern Welding and Machine Company, a small machine and welding shop in a converted livestock barn.

In 1969, Charles took a bold step, leaving NECO to focus entirely on his business. Shortly after joining the company full-time, he purchased his partner's interest, formed a corporation, and renamed the business Hol-Mac Corporation with the support of two additional stockholders. In 1972, Charles bought out his stockholders and embarked on a joint venture with another manufacturer. However, the venture proved unsuccessful, resulting in the loss of a newly built plant and equipment.

Determined not to give up, Charles returned to the "old barn" where it all began and rebuilt his business from the ground up. Reflecting on this chapter of his life, Charles often said, "I got an MBA that you can't get at Harvard or Wharton's; I got it a lot quicker, but it cost a lot more than Harvard or Wharton's." From its modest beginnings as Southern Machine and Welding in 1963, Hol-Mac grew steadily under Charles's visionary leadership. In 1970, the company achieved its first major design success with the Big Ax, and by 1972, it had rebranded as Hol-Mac Corporation.

Over the next decade, Charles expanded operations, introducing the Hol-Mac 7600 Rotary Mowers in 1975. Plant 2 was constructed in 1983 to focus on hydraulic manufacturing, marking a pivotal step in Hol-Mac's growth. The company forged a transformative partnership with Caterpillar in 1986, securing its role as a key player in the global manufacturing sector. The acquisition of Anel Corporation in 1996 marked another milestone, expanding Hol-Mac's capabilities and product offerings as a custom metal fabricator. Subsequent decades saw Hol-Mac's diversification and innovation, with landmark achievements such as the development of Pac-Mac's garbage trailers, including the Packmaster in 1997, and later the launch of Hammerhead Armor bumpers in 2008. Through strategic acquisitions, including Keith Huber Corporation out of Gulfport, Mississippi, in 2013 and Donkey Forklifts out of Denver, Colorado, in 2016, Hol-Mac expanded its portfolio, facilities, and workforce. The company's focus on innovation and quality continued with the founding of Hol-Mac Electrical in 2022, reinforcing its position as a leader in manufacturing and a vital contributor to Mississippi's economy.

Under Charles's resilient leadership, Hol-Mac became a cornerstone of manufacturing, growing from its humble beginnings in that old barn to multiple world-class facilities across Mississippi. His vision and fortitude transformed Hol-Mac into a thriving enterprise, employing over 950 skilled professionals and supporting local communities.

Charles's contributions extended well beyond his business endeavors. As a licensed professional engineer, he founded C.B. Holder and Associates in the late 1960s, providing essential infrastructure services to local counties for nearly four decades. He served as County Engineer for both Jasper and Smith Counties, where his leadership was instrumental in overseeing critical projects in road and bridge design, as well as water and sewer systems.

Charles was also deeply committed to improving the quality of life for his employees and the broader Mississippi community through his extensive civic involvement. His leadership on numerous boards and councils demonstrated his dedication to workforce development, education, and economic growth across the state. This effort earned him recognition and appointments across multiple gubernatorial administrations, both Democratic and Republican. Through his advocacy and pioneering efforts in workforce development, Charles has often been referred to as the "Godfather" of workforce training in Mississippi.

Throughout his career, Charles cultivated relationships with state leaders who recognized his expertise in workforce training and development. Governor Ray Mabus appointed him to Chair the Commission for Workforce Excellence in 1990. He served on the State Workforce Council, later renamed the State Workforce Investment Board, under Governor Kirk Fordice from 1994-2001. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors appointed him to the Jones County Junior College District Workforce Council and the Twin District Investment Board. Governors Ronnie Musgrove and Haley Barbour both reappointed him to the State Workforce Investment Board and the Twin District Workforce Investment Board. In 2007, Governor Barbour also appointed Charles to Chair the Steering Committee to establish Centers of Excellence in advanced manufacturing and construction for 18 southeastern Mississippi counties, strengthening the workforce training infrastructure in partnership with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Pearl River Community College, and Jones County Junior College.

Charles's commitment to youth and education was further demonstrated in 2010 when he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence at the University of Mississippi. There, he continued his lifelong passion for improving the knowledge and skills of young people entering the manufacturing field, ensuring they were prepared to lead Mississippi's industries into the future.

His extensive service extended to many professional organizations, where he held various leadership roles that reflected his unwavering dedication to advancing the engineering and manufacturing sectors in Mississippi. He was a past president of the Bay Springs Chamber of Commerce and served on the boards of the West Jasper Board of Trustees and the Jones County Junior College Board of Trustees. He was also a member of several national and state associations, including the National Association of County Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Mississippi Association of County Engineers. In addition, he served as chairman of the Mississippi Commission on Workforce Excellence and participated in several councils and committees focused on workforce development.

As a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence, Charles played a pivotal role in shaping the center's curriculum to ensure it met the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the state's economic development, he was named one of Mississippi's Top CEOs by The Mississippi Business Journal in 2016.

Charles's legacy of service and dedication is evident in the numerous recognitions he received over his lifetime, including his role as a past Boy and Explorer Scout leader and his impact on countless lives in the workforce development community. His commitment to the people of Mississippi, especially in the realm of workforce training and economic empowerment, will be remembered for generations to come.

A devout Christian and dedicated servant of God, Charles was a founding member and chairman of the Board of Deacons at Berean Bible Church. His faith guided his life, and he shared that faith with his family and community. Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Marie Warren. He is survived by his four sons, Chuck (Chris), Jamie (Alison), Jeffrey (Secily), and Rory (Sharon); his sister Charlene (Darrell) of Gulfport, Mississippi; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Charles found immense joy in his family, especially in watching his children, grandchildren, and others in the community excel in sporting events and participate in 4H livestock activities.

Charles lived a life defined by service, integrity, and his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. His legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched, the communities he strengthened, and the dreams he helped bring to life.

A celebration of Charles's life will be held on December 20, 2024 from 5PM- 8PM at Hol-Mac Corporation, 2730A Highway 15, Bay Springs, MS. An additional memorial service will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Berean Bible Church, 385 HWY 528, Bay Springs, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of the following: the Charles B. Holder Endowed Scholarship through the Jones College Foundation; the Charles Holder Endowed Scholarship through the Mississippi State University Foundation; the Charles B. Holder, Jr. Scholarship Endowment through the Center for Manufacturing Excellence at the University of Mississippi; or to Sylva Bay Academy in Bay Springs, Mississippi. By supporting these educational funds, you can honor Charles's legacy by supporting future generations of students in the manufacturing field.