Donald Leo Holden, Sr.

12/13/1934 — 07/08/2017

From Prosser, WA | Born in Spokane, WA

Donald Leo Holden, Sr.

Donald Leo Holden Sr. 82 of Prosser, Washington and formerly of Pasco & Ephrata, WA, passed away from congestive heart failure on July 8, 2017 at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, WA.

Don was born to Claude & Muriel Holden on 12/13/34.  He was the youngest of 2 brothers and 1 sister.  He also had 2 older ½ brothers and a ½ sister in California.  He lived in Sandpoint, Idaho before the family moved to Richland, WA.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Sharon Henderson, in 4th grade.  They were married April 3, 1955.  They had 4 children, the last one born in 1964. 

Don was in the Army Reserve until 1962.  He owned “Tri-Cities Tire Distributors” in Kennewick, worked at Boise Cascade, and sold cars briefly.  I think that was because he bought more cars than he sold! He had a love of cars, clean, shiny cars and would join you any time you wanted to go on a lot and “kick tires!”

After his dad’s funeral in Coulee City in 1976 he stopped in Ephrata to see an old friend at his little hamburger joint.  His friend needed to sell his restaurant due to his wife’s illness and the rest is history.  It was renamed “Holden’s Burger Hut” and 2 years later he decided he wanted to sell pizzas and built “Holden’s Pizza Extravaganza.”  He wanted a 30’s and 40’s gangster era theme with pizzas named “Bugsy’s Winter Vacation”, “The Godfather”, “The Sicilian.”  He was also known as the “Bagwan of Rolled Dough!”


Don had a passion for local sports in Ephrata and held many breakfast & spaghetti feeds at his pizza parlor in celebration of sending sports teams off to their State tournaments. They sold the place in 1996 and moved to Vashon Island where they managed Vashon Manor/Terrace.  After Sharon’s stroke they moved back to the Tri-Cities.  He & mom bought a Honda Goldwing and joined the local GWRRA Chapter S in 1992.  They enjoyed traveling with friends to rally’s and took 2 trips to the Smoky Mountains. 

Don was elected to the Ephrata City Council in November 1978 where served 13 years and was Mayor Pro-Tem a few of those years.  He was a longtime time member & President of Kiwanis. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Sharon, brother Darrell and sister Lorraine along with his ½ brother Clayton, ½ sister Norma and the best ever in-laws Morris & Elton Henderson. 


He is survived by his daughter Cathy (Brenda), Don Holden Jr. (Kathleen), Todd (Linda) & Wendy.  He loved his grandchildren Cathy’s – Jason & Keisha, Don Jr’s – Eric, Jeremy, Brent & Seth.  Todd – step grandkids Justo, Tino, Julian, Marcos & Victoria. Wendy – Brittny. 

He also leaves behind 12 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.  Don is also survived by his brother Jack of Kennewick and ½ brother Howard of Santa Ana, CA.  along with 2 sister-in-laws, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Please join us for services on Friday 7/14 at 2:30pm at Einan’s Funeral Home at 915 By Pass Hwy. Richland, WA  509-943-1114.  We would love to hear your stories of our beloved father and join us at Todd’s house afterward.  

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  • I am sorry for the loss of Don and Sharon. They were like family since I met them in high school. They loved their family and each other. He will be missed a was Sharon. Their family has my sincerest Sympathy.
    bless

    Pat Sime
    July 21, 2017
    Kennewick, Wa
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