E. Patrick Holbert, 57 of Bradenton, Florida passed away peacefully on Valentineís Day at Kindred Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL after an extended and complex illness. Born in Mills River, Patrick spent his formative years outdoors; hunting and fishing in the mountains he called home. His love of the sea led him to Florida where he lived the last 12 years with a perpetual tan, a fishing rod in his hand and sunshine in his heart.
Patrick graduated from UNC-Ashville in 1977 with a B.A. in Economics. It was there he met the love of his life, Sharon Whitaker who would become his wife of 35 years. Patrickís love of statistics and his ability to analyze and trouble shoot complex technical processes led him into a career in manufacturing Quality Assurance where he excelled in a variety of industries. His path began in Fletcher at TDM Corporation and then was hired as one of the initial 50 start-up employees when Rockwell International (now Arvin-Meritor) opened its Fletcher Facility. Patrick retired from Arvin-Meritor after 18 years in 2001 and moved to Florida where he continued to be successful as a Quality Assurance Manager working for boating leader Wellcraft, Inc., aero-space leader Seal Dynamics, and finished his career at Dooshan, Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing of water desalination plants. While at Dooshan, Patrick was responsible for writing the Quality Control Technical Manual for a desalination project installed at the American Embassy in Iraq.
In addition to his wife, Sharon, Patrick is survived by his daughter, Margaret Emily ìMaggieî Holbert who is a student at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA. He is the son of Melba W. Holbert of Hendersonville and the late James E. Holbert. In addition he is survived by sisters, Janet H. Jones and husband Larry of Cramerton, NC and Joann H. Turner of Flat Rock; brother, J. Mark Holbert of Hendersonville, Lanny F. Holbert of Mills River; and eight nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Hendersonville on Sunday, February 17, 2013 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 18, 2013 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
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