Stephen Joe Holderby

Stephen Joe Holderby was born February 2, 1951, to Willard and LaDanta (Jack) Holderby, the younger brother of two sisters. With his immediate family by his side, he ascended to heaven on June 25, 2026, after a brief hospitalization. Growing up in Cherokee, he worked with his father on the farm and helped in the family businesses, which instilled a solid work ethic and commitment to family. He graduated from Cherokee High School in 1969 and from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1974. He returned home to farm and ranch calling Alfalfa County home most of his life. Over the years, Stephen built on the agricultural foundation of his Holderby and Jack ancestors leaving a legacy for his son, David, to continue.

As a talented athlete who excelled in basketball, football and track, Stephen won countless medals at all levels of competition. OSU awarded him a football scholarship, and he played his first two years of college. He was an integral member of the independent intramural basketball team that won the all-college tournament beating all the fraternity teams. He often boasted to his children that he was an excellent billiards player in his youth as well. Throughout life, his love of sports continued whether showing off his skills slalom water skiing or snow skiing down black diamonds or attending high school and college events all over the state. He was a dedicated father and grandfather driving hours to watch his kids play and giving them unsolicited advice! Over the last couple decades, Stephen and Mary have enjoyed supporting the OSU Cowboys football and Cowgirl basketball teams rarely missing a home game. The couple called Stillwater home for the last 2 years and stayed busy attending various Cowboy and Cowgirl sporting events.

Stephen was a fun-loving, gregarious and charming man. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone, and he loved visiting with friends, family and new acquaintances. Anywhere he traveled, which was all over the United States and several foreign countries, he easily made friends. Endearingly, he always had a new joke and an ornery razz for his buddies and relatives. His family treasured listening to him tell stories, as he recounted every detail with such vividness that his loved ones felt as though they were there too. Without him, many wonderful family stories and adages will be lost as no one can story-tell as well.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Mary Woodman Holderby, children, Brandon (Gina) Wright, Bridgette (T.J.) Rockenbach, Beth (Charlie) Acre and David (Gwyn) Holderby, sister, Kay Beauchamp, sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Ann and Lyle Welsh,11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, Willard and LaDanta, sister and brother-in-law, Jackie Jill and Bobby Resler, brother-in-law, Eugene Beauchamp, and parents-in-law, Joe and Leona Woodman.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Driftwood Christian Church. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee, Oklahoma. Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc. Website: www.lanmanfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations can be made out to the Amorita-Byron Fire Department through the funeral home.