David Holdgrafer

Well, my Father, David Paul Holdgrafer, has passed away. It happened on Friday, March 15th, 2024. He was out running errands on that day just like any other, except this time it wasn’t. Now he’s gone, and the time has come to speak about him, or more importantly, his life. My grandmother, his mother, once told me a story that, I think, sums up my Father perfectly. Actually, no—it’s two stories.

When Dad was young, his father gifted him with a toy lawnmower. Then as his father began cutting the grass, my Dad fell in behind, following in his father’s footsteps. It’s a small story, but one that truly illustrates who my Father was at his core. He was a person that loved helping people. I can’t tell you how many times it was that I had spoken with him and asked him what he was up to or doing. And he was always telling me stories of how he had helped someone with a car repair, or a faulty refrigerator. Indeed, when one of my best friends in high school had his car break down, Dad arrived and got us running so we could get it back home. In short, my Dad was a giver, of that most precious resource, time.

Oh, and the second story that illustrates my Father, you ask? That mower that his Dad had, you know the one that was working perfectly, my Dad later completely disassembled it, much to his father’s surprise.

I have to say that most of the time I was a little in awe of my Father. A common saying is, “Jack of all trades, and master of none.” Those who say this never met my Father. He could draft a house then build it, doing the plumbing and electrical. Need your car disassembled and put back together? Dad had you covered. Have a piece of equipment not working with mechanical or electrical problems? You wouldn’t have such a problem for long if you had mentioned it to David P. Holdgrafer. Not only was he an expert on all things mechanical, but a successful businessman as well. Dad created and ran multiple businesses over the course of his life, often handling all aspects of operations from bookkeeping to reading complicated legal documents. It’s truly remarkable, the number of skills Dad picked up over the course of his life. Here’s a short list: Drafting, carpentry, plumbing, masonry, electrician, telecommunications, drumming, welding, auto-mechanical, landscaping design, photography, electronics, engineering, freeze-drying, production design, and pilot. Oh, and he also served our country in the Army during the Vietnam War.

Dad was born in Huntington, West Virginia, where he would remove the wheels from friend’s roller skates to make skateboards. The family moved to Indianapolis when he was in high school, and not long after high school, once Dad decided he wasn’t going to become a drummer, he got an entry-level job working for a blood analytics company. With this company Dad would grow in skills and abilities until he became a plant engineer, all with no formal training. At a young age, he was traveling the world from Ireland to Japan in a new and upcoming company. And when that company floundered, years later, Dad started his own company, Affinity Limousine. The limo business is one that Dad truly enjoyed because it had two things he liked: meeting and talking to new people and being of service. And, of course, solving impossible problems.

I’d mentioned before that he’s gone now, but this isn’t really true. Because the people that touch us, the people that we care about, are never truly gone as their memory lingers. And memories are living breathing things. Knowing how Dad felt about people, he would feel truly grateful for your presence here today, and so I thank you in his stead.

Best regards,

David J. Holdgrafer

David Paul Holdgrafer

was born on August 31, 1950 to Paul and Harriet (Schneider) Holdgrafer in Huntington, West Virginia. He is survived by three siblings: Ann Holdgrafer, James (Lori) Holdgrafer, Mark Holdgrafer; and adopted brother extraordinaire-- Dodie Marasigan; three children, Christa R. (Ryan) Morrill, David J. Holdgrafer, Brett Holdgrafer(deceased); four grandchildren: Cooper Morrill, Spencer Morrill, Parker Morrill, Mason William Holdgrafer; a nephew: Jimmy Holdgrafer; a niece: Nicole Holdgrafer.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made in David P. Holdgrafer's name to St. Paul's Episcopal Church 6050 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208. Your efforts are meant to support youth programs for personal development in the arts to music. We hope you embrace and support the "Easels to Instruments" proposal on behalf of David P Holdgrafer. Thank you!