Samuel Rapheal Holder

July 6, 1961 - July 5, 2021

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Samuel Rapheal Holder, age 59, of Sonora, Texas, died on the family ranch on July 5, 2021.

Rapheal was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Linden, Texas after moving from Mobile, Alabama. He was an honor graduate of Linden-Kildare High School and attended Texas A&M University-Commerce earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Rapheal joined Northrop Grumman in 1985 as a junior programmer and analyst. He worked his way through positions of increasing responsibility including manager of Manufacturing Resource Planning Systems and program director for Northrop Grumman’s Commercial Aircraft division. He also served as Vice President of Shared Services Operations. From there, he advanced to Vice President of Enterprise Operations for the IT sector’s Commercial, State and Local business group then he served as Vice President and CIO for Northrop Grumman’s Information Technology Sector. He advanced to Vice President and CIO for Northrop Grumman’s Information Systems Sector. He received many leadership awards while at Northrop and retired from Northrop Grumman September 2011. While living in Mesquite and Rowlett, he volunteered as a Boy Scout Den Leader and many community events throughout the years from building homes, to food drives, and supporting the troops.

After retiring from Northrup Grumman, he moved to Sonora, TX and formed his own companies TwoWorlds Group and Harmony which were IT consultants. He worked for five years prior to retiring and enjoying his ranch and serving on the board of the Health Foundation in Sonora.

Rapheal liked to break things down and put them back together. He loved hunting, gun smithing, learning about everything, and teaching what he learned. He liked farming and fixing things around the ranch. He always found time to play games with his kids and dote on his grandchildren. Rapheal will be remembered for his hard work, sense of humor, and love of family.

He is survived by his wife Kelly Holder of Sonora, TX, married August 4,1984; Daughter: Rachel Holder and Brad Parrish of Boerne, TX; Sons: Jarred and Laura Holder of Buda, TX and Tanner Holder and Lilly Huynh of Irving, TX; Granddaughters: Lucy Holder and Olivia Holder; Parents: Dr. Samuel B Holder and Glenda Holder formerly of Linden, Tx; Sister: Dr. Sherrie Holder and Dr. Jeremy Gitomer of Anchorage, AK; In-laws: Albert and Cynthia Ward of Sonora, TX; sister- in-law; Cathy and David Feinberg of Sonora, TX; brother-in-law: Gus and Theresa Ward of Sonora, TX; nieces and nephews: Sarah and Lt. Col. Danny Sebeck, Colorado Springs, CO, Daniel and Jennifer Ward of San Antonio, TX; Ariel and Dane Yates of Bremerton, WA; Amara Gitomer of Winter Park, FL; Peja Gitomer of Anchorage, AK