Rex Ken Holden Sr.

               Rex “Ken” Holden Sr. age 88 of Farwell, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Harrison. Ken was born June 11, 1938, in Lapeer, Michigan, the son of Hazel Lorene (Gardner) Holden and Rex Brown Holden. Rex “Ken” Holden honorably served his country in the United States Army Reserve.

               Surviving Ken is his wife of thirty-four years, Mrs. Yvonne Sue Holden of Farwell; His two sons: Rex Ken Holden Jr. and wife Jill of Traverse City, Michigan, and David Edward Holden and wife Kelly of Manchester, Michigan; one step-daughter, Joanna Lee and husband Trent of Midland, Michigan; six grandchildren: Brianna Holden, Calista Holden, Jessica Coy-Kendall and husband Clint, Samuel Ian Holden, Alex Holden and Ryker Lee, plus many extended family and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, and one stepdaughter, Victoria Davis.  

Dad had a great love and compassion for his family.  If you were ill or had any medical problem or were broke down with your car somewhere he would drop everything and come and help you.   He made family camping a huge adventure: Packing a truck with a camper and then a trailer with a boat, motorcycles and bikes on it.  He packed everything except the house.  Our kids remember getting picked up from school in an ambulance and my driver’s license test was done in an ambulance.   Ken was a salesman with a conscious.  His kindness, outgoingness and care and his love of vehicles and people is why he was one of the top sellers of ambulances in Michigan for many years.  I know he could have sold more but he did not, because he would only sell quality vehicles that were right for the service that wanted them.   His love was selling ambulances and firetrucks, but he would only sell you what you needed and if you did not think you needed it he would be able to explain why because he himself was a firefighter and EMS trained ambulance responder. So, he knew what was needed in those vehicles.  He also helped several of the ambulance and firetruck manufacturers design the structure of the vehicles for improved safety and for improved function like where to put cabinets and storage units for the easiest access to equipment.  I know on many occasions my dad lost bids because he insisted on giving the clients the best equipment they needed. Many times, those companies came back to him later and bought only from him, because they knew he would do them right.  

Ken was a community leader.   I believe he started on the fire department at age 18 and was a reserve police officer as well.  When he moved to Harrison in 1971, he was on the fire department and started the local EMS ambulance service for Clare County.  He was instrumental in getting Clare County on the 911 emergency system.

Ken loved going to car shows with his sons, RV shows and anything to do with tires and engines.  He always helped all his kids to purchase the correct vehicle for their needs.  When he was young, he convinced his mom to buy a new and loaded 1964 Pontiac GTO and all the car nuts around town called her the “little old lady from Pasadena” (Jan & Dean song). On almost every occasion I was in the hospital with him he would joke and banter with the nurses and doctors.  He said he liked to joke around with them because he knew that their job was difficult and they worked many long hours and he just wanted to not be a burden to them but be more of a good part of their day.   He really understood people deeply and cared for them genuinely.  

A private Celebration of Life honoring Ken was held on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in memory of Ken may be considered to: Harrison Lions Club. Envelopes will be available at: Clark-Stocking Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 165 West Oak Street, Harrison, MI. 48625. To share an online memory or condolence with Ken’s family, please visit: www.clarkstocking.com. Arrangements and care of Mr. Holden are entrusted with Clark-Stocking Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service (989) 539-7810.