Howard E. Holshouser, Jr., (Russ) died peacefully at his home in Efland, on Feb. 27, 2015, with his wife Joan Wilson Pinkston Holshouser at his side. Although Russ had been in declining health with Multiple System Atrophy for several years, his death was unexpected at this time. 

He is survived by his wife, Joan, and her children and grandchildren who called him Granddad; his sister, Toni Dew and husband Jimmy Dew of Bermuda Run and their children and grandchildren.

Russ was born in Rowan County on Jan. 19, 1942, to the late Howard and Doris Holshouser, and spent most of his youth there, graduating from Boyden High School (now Salisbury High). He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and was a devoted NC State fan, never missing a game of basketball or football even if he had to just listen on the radio.