Aunt Nell, Cousins' Bill and Debbie plus families, I am so sorry for you loss. Please accept mine and my husband Tom's condolences. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I have so many memories of Uncle Alton. Some of my fondest childhood memories are when we spent Christmas Eve with him and all the Halbrook/Holbrook families gathered at Aunt Maurine's home in Dallas, Texas. No matter where they were in the world, the Halbrook/Holbrook brothers always showed up at Aunt Maurine's home for Christmas Eve. Another big memory is when Uncle Alton and Uncle Woody would get together and share their experiences about how they planned and decided to get away from pickin' cotton on the farm by joining the Marines together. They talked about being in boot camp together. The stories I heard when I grew older, about how my brother, Michael Alton Holbrook, was named after Alton, because they did not know if Uncle Alton was dead or alive in World War II. When he returned, there was so much joy. I never got the chance to thank him for serving and enduring all the atrocities of war to keep everyone, and especially all of us who are family, safe at home. He will be missed. He had such a mischievous smile and beautiful twinkle in his eye. With Love, Your Cousin Peggy Holbrook Wachtel. Child of G.H.L. and Estle Holbrook
