A beloved grandfather, father, and Vietnam veteran who was slain last month while working as a private security guard at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, left behind a powerful message in his Bible.
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Darrell Holderman’s legacy is mighty, as his grandson Isaac Clark told WLWT-TV. He was his “hero” and his “best friend” — a patriotic man filled with joy, laughter, and love, as well as a person who read his Bible.
Holderman’s obituary further explains some of his background and interests and affirms his devotion to family.
“Darrell was a dedicated family man. He served our country as a United States Marine for six years,” it reads. “During that time, he received specialized training to be a security guard. Darrell loved spending time with his family and enjoyed cooking.”
Holderman, 78, was tragically murdered June 1, when he picked up an extra security shift and was killed by an inmate treated at the hospital.
That 30-year-old prisoner allegedly took Holderman’s gun, shot him, and then shot himself; he reportedly fled the hospital and went into a parking lot before dying.
It’s a tragedy that has shocked Clark and his entire family.
“It still, to this day, haunts us, and it still devastates us,” Clark told WLWT-TV. “We got to keep going for him and in his honor.”
As the family remembers Holderman’s life and legacy, Clark shared a message his grandpa left behind in his Bible — simple words with a profound calling for all who read them.
“You can live your life any way you want, but you have only one life to live,” Holderman’s handwritten note in the Bible reads.
This reminder — proclaiming how we live deeply matters — is a powerful call to Christians to live with impact and purpose and to align with the Lord.
And it seems this is a message Holderman kept in mind throughout his life as a veteran and security guard, choosing to serve and protect. Continue to pray for Holderman’s family during this difficult time.
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