A former Bronson student who joined the U.S. Marines after graduation in 2003 was killed in a motorcycle accident in Marietta, Ga., last week.

Sgt. Steven Lawrence Holder, 24, died when he apparently lost control of his 2000 Yamaha motorcycle and struck another vehicle on Delk Road in Marietta, according to the Marietta Police Dept. He was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The accident happened a mile from his home. He had left his job in aviation ordnance at the Naval Air Station in Marietta.

Holder was born at Shands at the University of Florida on Jan. 5, 1985, was named for a paternal uncle and a television character. Family members said they will remember him as a character in real life and an FSU Seminole fan.

While attending school in Bronson, he enjoyed playing practical jokes and creating mischief. For example, as a member of the Bronson High School Eagles baseball team, he helped lead a mission to get all baseball and softball players out of algebra class early on each game day, even for games not scheduled until the evening.

His lifelong love of baseball began on a tee ball team in the Bronson Youth League as a kindergartener and he continued in the league until he was 18. He was also a defensive player on the Bronson High football team and earned a county championship in track and field. He also took great pleasure in fixing up Jeeps, riding his motorcycle, fishing and playing softball for the local league. He was a homecoming class attendant in eighth grade.

He was a member of the Bronson High FFA chapter, and the Levy County Explorers from 1999 until 2002.

While in the military he developed an interest in martial arts and had earned a green belt.

Days after graduation, he and his best friend, Ricky Boyd, joined the Marines and he planned to make the military his life's work. After completing boot camp with Platoon 3064 K. Company at Parris Island, he was assigned to four squadrons: The Black Sheep and Wake Island Avengers, both in Yuma, Ariz., and the Flying Gators, where he was the Color Sergeant, and the Red Dog in Marietta. He served two tours of duty in Iraq.

Military awards bestowed on him during his career included a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal, three letters of appreciation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, National Defense Service Medal and Navy Unit Commendation.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Holder of Marietta, Ga.; his mother and stepfather, Donna and David Reinstra of Bronson; his father, Christopher Holder of Bronson; his sister, Chanda (Jason) Sigler of Tacoma, Wash.; his brother, Christopher Holder Jr. of Bronson; half-brothers Jonathan, Jackson and Samuel Holder, all of Bronson, William and Matthew Holder of Trenton; half-sister, Brittany Holder of Bronson; paternal grandparents Levy and Carolyn Holder of Bronson; paternal great-grandparents Lila Mae Holder of Bronson and Marguerite McDavid of Bronson, father-in-law Jack Weaver, mother-in-law Dorothy Allen, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, James and Erma Whiteside; his paternal great-grandfathers Levi Holder Sr. and Terrell McDavid; step-grandparents, Retha and Samuel Kight; three cousins and one aunt.

Funerals services were March 25 at the First Baptist Church in Bronson with Pastor Troy A. Turner and Pastor Kyle Quincy officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Marine Corps.

Knauff Funeral Home of Williston is in charge of arrangements.