Odd Franklin (Frank) Holstead

Odd Franklin (Frank) Holstead passed this life on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. He was 85 years old.

Frank was born on January 12, 1939, in Wilmette, Illinois, to Sverre and Margot S. Holstead (‘nee Berg). Frank joined the United States Army at 16 years old and served from 18 January 1956, through 14 January 1959. While stationed in Berlin, Germany (Andrews Barracks) he was a Radio Operator responsible for transmitting and receiving communications. After serving his country he returned to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he gained employment managing a parts department for a local car dealership. 

Frank always had a love for understanding how things work. He had a knack for diagnosing and solving mechanical issues. He applied those skills to repairing vehicles and equipment of all shapes and sizes. Eventually, this dual skillset led him to a civil service career with the Department of the Army as a Logistics Assistance Representative with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in a myriad of worldwide assignments in support of the U.S. Army and soldiers. Frank was stationed at various U.S. military bases around the world including bases in Germany and South Korea. He spent countless hours coaching, teaching and mentoring U.S. Army soldiers on repairing, servicing, and troubleshooting Army equipment. Frank worked on all combat equipment, but his specialty was the Abrams Main Battle Tank and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. His position often required deploying with soldiers in forward locations. Frank deployed to numerous locations including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait. One of his final deployments was for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti 2010. He was considered the Go To Man for problem solving by both his peers and management at TACOM. He was awarded the Commanders Medal for Civilian Service numerous times for his achievements. 

One of the things his family valued most about Frank was his willingness to help others. He took any opportunity to impart his knowledge and wisdom unto the soldiers he encountered during his tenure with TACOM. Once retired, he repaired vehicles and rebuilt car engines for friends and neighbors, religiously fed stray cats and helped capture and fund their sterilization. When his children called in need of assistance with any myriad of electrical, mechanical, or other issues, he remained eager to provide guidance and troubleshooting assistance. There wasn't much he couldn't resolve and was always available no matter what the issue or time of day. He was invaluable with his rich and vast knowledge of all things related to life. He has left all of us with some pearl of wisdom or dose of practical advice. He was such a humble man; practical, pragmatic and salt of the earth. His consistent and loyal presence in our lives will be deeply missed.

Proceeding him in death are his father Sverre Holstead and his mother Margot S. Holstead (‘nee Berg), his brother Alf (Ray) Holstead, and his sister Marion Kuehl (‘nee Holstead), his daughters Lisa Ann Holstead and Deborah Lynn Veley (‘nee Holstead) and his grandson Declan Berg Holstead.

He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Hanna (‘nee Yi). Also, daughters Susan Holstead (Wisconsin) and Laurie Brain (‘nee Holstead) (Arizona) and sons Steven (Andrea) of Texas and Eric (Arizona). Also surviving are many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand daughter as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the LaFayette Funeral Home, 6651 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304 on December 17th from 11:30-1:15pm followed by procession to Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd, Ft Liberty, NC 28310. A brief service will be held at the chapel from 2:00-2:30pm.

On-line condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com

The family requests donations be made in Frank’s name to the Cumberland County Animal Shelter for spaying and neutering. Monetary donations can be made to: Cumberland County Animal Services, 4704 Corporation Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306