General Terry Lee Holden

Graveside memorial services for Gen. Terry Holden will be held at 10:00 AM, Sat., June 21,2025 in the Portales Cemetery with full military honors to be rendered by the New Mexico National Guard.

Terry Lee Holden, 77, was called to his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 8, 2024, in Dallas, Texas, a beloved son, brother and husband, and had numerous friends and comrades who knew him.  Terry was born in Dayton, Ohio on July 15, 1946 to Robert Ray Burger and June Louise Ewing before moving to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

Terry met the love of his life, Carol Sue, and they were married for 50 years.  Carol preceded him in death in February 2023.  He was also preceded by his parents, John R. Holden and June Holden, brother Robert and sister Betty.  He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Gomoets nee Holden, brothers, Larry Burger and Gary Holden, and sister Dawn Louise Emami nee Holden and nephew, Chris Sawyer.

He graduated from Truth or Consequences High School in 1965.  Terry worked in the uranium mines before matriculating to Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), in Potales, New Mexico.

In 1966, Terry was drafted by the U. S. Army, becoming an artillery surveyor before going to Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He graduated as a second lieutenant, and was assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, Air Defense Artillery School as an instructor and platoon leader for two years.  He rotated to Korea, serving as battery commander and staff officer in the 6th Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment 38th ADA Brigade for 13 months.

He returned home after four years of service to attend ENMU.  Terry graduated with a BS in Industrial Education, and became a vocational education teacher for the Portales Schools.  Terry held that position for 25 years.  During this period, Terry completed a Master of Science and an Education Specialist degree from ENMU.

Mr. Holden joined the New Mexico Army National Guard after his active-duty service, commanding battery, battalion and brigade units while attaining the rank of Brigadier General.  His assignments saw him serving in Oklahoma, Texas, Korea, New Mexico, Japan and Germany.

Retiring after 25 years of teaching, 31 years of military service and 10 years as a defense contractor in the United States and Europe, Terry and his wife, Carol, retired in Sherman, Texas.  He was a Sons of the American Revolution Patriot (SAR), and a member of the Society of the War of 1812.  He additionally was a life member of the Association of the United States Army.

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