Edward Herman Holdampf, 78, of Houston, Texas, passed from this life on March 16, 2026. He was born on February 13, 1948, to Herman Louis Holdampf and Martha Violet Gruendler Holdampf in Far Rockaway, New York, where his family attended the First Congregational Church.

Ed, and his best friend, Richie Metcher, both became Eagle Scouts. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from January 1969 to September 1970. Edward was a proud patriot who loved celebrating the 4th of July, especially with musical events at Mims Church in Conroe, the Foundry Church, and the Cynthia Woods Pavilion. After military service, Ed earned a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts at Buffalo State University. While at Buffalo State, he was led to the Lord by a group from Campus Crusade for Christ. Ed then led his parents to the Lord when he went home on school holiday. Upon graduation, he moved to Pasadena, Texas to teach woodshop in middle school. During the school year, Ed's dad passed away, so Ed went to Vermont to arrange the funeral and brought his mother back to live with him in Texas. At the end of the school year, he decided to go to work for Southern Pacific Railroad where he retired as a signalman after 38 years of service. In 1981, he met his future wife, Nancy Ahrens, at a church dinner. They were married June 5, 1982, and celebrated their 43rd anniversary this past June.

Edward was a devoted son who took care of his widowed mother and was a hard worker who took good care of his wife and children. He loved working in the yard, building things, and going to air shows and model train shows. He loved his church, Lakewood, and especially Ms. Dodie, to whom he went many times to pray for his children.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Nancy Ahrens Holdampf, his sons Robert Edward Holdampf and Randall Louis Holdampf, his brother -in-laws Kenneth Ahrens, Richard Ahrens, David Ahrens and John Harland; his sisters-in-law Vickie Ahrens, Gladys Ahrens, Linda Ahrens, and Barbara Harlan, his nephews and nieces Kevin and Amy Ahrens, Craig and Tisha Ahrens, Chris Ahrens, Jennifer Omlelianoff, Brian and Tyna Harlan, Karen and Don LaFon, Lorrie and Shane Johnson, Jennifer and Chad Moses, and Louie Lynn Johnson; great nieces and nephews Katie and Dustin Thompson, Mark and Michelle Jimenez, Nick Lopez, Grant, Annie, Hazel and Nora Johnson¸ Ryder and Gage Moses, Brock, Brice and wife, Kira, Brynn and husband, Brady Miller, Bentley, Bella, Brea, Bethany, Baylee, Betty, Braden, Bradley, Brinkley and Brooklyn Ahrens; great-great nephews Hudson and Ryker Ahrens, cousins Jeanne and Bernie Wirtz and daughters Karen and Wendy , cousins Delores and Michael Stewart and children Danielle and Justin, cousins Cathy and Tony Caraphelho and sons Tom, Peter and Craig, cousins Diane and Alex Morales and daughter, Charlene¸ , second-cousins Bill, Ken, Rich and Stan Holdampf, and many of his spouse's cousins and their families , his friends and neighbors.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Martha Holdampf, his Uncle Stephen Holdampf and Aunt Catherine Holdampf, his cousins Stan and Marilyn Holdampf, and by his second cousin Stephen Stewart.

Ed was a Vietnam Veteran who had a 100% disability but didn't let that stop him from accomplishing anything he wanted to do.

In place of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Hospital in honor of Edward Holdampf.