Howard Causey Holland, 93, of Durham, NC, died January 15th, 2008. He was born in Gates County, North Carolina, son of Rosa Ella and James Causey Holland. In 1935, Howard graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and did post graduate work in education. He taught math and science and served as a principal in the North Carolina school system. Howard was a World War II veteran, serving his country as a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander with combat duty in the Pacific Theatre and in the Bureau of Ships in Washington D. C. Following the war, he was a pioneer in computer systems and headed up the design and deployment of US Government computer installations for the Department of Army Transportation Corp, Army Ordnance and Department of State. Upon retirement, Howard received the John Jacob Rogers Award in recognition of more that forty-four years of distinguished service in the U.S. Government, including twenty-nine years of outstanding contributions for Financial Management in the Department of State.

Howard was a strong Christian and very active in his church and community. He served in a wide variety of leadership positions at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, VA for more than 50 years. He coached little league baseball for more than 10 years.

Howard was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Oma Lee Holland, three children, Alan Holland of Blacksburg, Virginia, Jim Holland and wife Jan of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Deborah H. Sweeney and husband Frank of Knoxville, Tennessee and three grandchildren, Chase Holland, Jaclyn Holland and Emma Sweeney.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 19th, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk VA, by Pastor Ray Warren. Burial will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery with military honors. There will be a reception for friends and family following the burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Orange United Methodist Church of Chapel Hill, NC, First Baptist Church of Alexandria, VA or Kitrells United Methodist Church in Gates, NC.