Christian Vandegrift Holland Jr.

Christian Vandegrift Holland Jr. affectionately known as “Colonel”, 89, of North Myrtle Beach died on Friday, July 5, 2019, at his home with his wife and daughter by his side.

Born in Richmond, Va., the son of Christian Vandegrift and Anna Willis Holland, Christian graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., in 1948, where he lettered in baseball and football as a member of the undefeated 1947 varsity football team. He attended Virginia Military Institute where he graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1952 and lettered again in baseball and football and wrestling. In 1952 he married “Sugar” Hunley in Stamford, Conn., and was employed at the Savannah River Plant in Barnwell.  In 1956, he joined Ethyl Corporation as Area Sales Manager for Caribbean, Central and South America.

Christian was a Korean Veteran serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Upon returning he served 28 years in the Army Reserve retiring as a Lt. Colonel in Civil Affairs. While living in Norwalk, Conn., Christian was a past president of the Kiwanis Club and was owner/broker of three Century 21 Real Estate offices.  He and “Sugar” and their two daughters were members of the Shore and Country Club where they enjoyed swimming, tennis and wonderful friends. After moving to Wilton, Conn., he coached Pop Warner Football and was an active member of the community.

In 1980 he and “Sugar” moved to Myrtle Beach and continued to be active in Real Estate and formed American Custom Homes. Christian was a member of the VMI Alumni Agencies and a Keydet Club Board, Inc. Governors 2012-2017, a member of American Legion Post 186 in Little River, a member of the Santee Cooper Citizens Advisory Council, a member of the Home Builders Association and a past president of the Horry/Georgetown Home Builders Association. He became a member and past Grand Master of Masonic Lodge 392 and outstanding Master of the Year in 2005, 2007, 2008, North Myrtle Beach, a member of Pythagoras Masonic Lodge 249, Southport, S.C. and past District Deputy Grand Master for the 29th District S.C., a member of the Eastern Star and Patron of the Rainbow Girls, life member of the Scottish and York Rights and Knights Templar and St. John’s and Rittenhouse Masonic Lodges in Conneticut.

Christian is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years ,“Sugar” Hunley Holland; two daughters, Cathrine Slattum and husband Kenneth of Angier, N.C., and Patricia Verones and husband John of Mt. Washington, Maine; three grandchildren, Lindsay Johnson and husband Keith of New Jersey, Lauren Tamburri and husband Jason of North Carolina, and William White of New York; two great-grandchildren, Asher Pullen and Bram Tamburri; one sister, Barbara Robertson of Newark Ohio; five nephews; and several cousins.

A memorial service of a celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Lee Funeral Home and Crematory, at 11840 Hwy. 90 in Little River. Interment will be in Lexington, Va., at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of his daughter Cathrine to the Alzheimer’s Association, Amedisys Hospice of Myrtle Beach, S.C., or the charity of one’s choice.

A guest book is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.