Dr. Linda Gail Holder Kunder of Arlington, Virginia, departed this life – and began a return journey to her beloved North Carolina mountains for burial – on September 22, 2024. The cause of her death was complications related to dementia.

During an eventful life, Dr. Kunder's career spanned a remarkable journey from farm life in Watauga County's Aho community to positions as an author, college professor, and adult education advisor to numerous federal agencies in Washington, D.C. An avid explorer, Dr. Kunder interspersed her professional work with travel throughout the United States and to Europe, South America, and China.

Linda Gail Holder was born on January 31, 1947, in North Wilkesboro, the daughter of beloved parents Boyce Arvil Holder and Ethel Mae (Hampton) Holder. She was raised in the Aho community and was a proud graduate of the Blowing Rock High School, Class of 1965. Dr. Holder earned her bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, her master's degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, and her doctorate in adult education from Virginia Tech. In addition to public school teaching in both North Carolina and South Carolina, she served on the faculty and taught English at Marymount University and the Community College of Northern Virginia.

During a working career of more than forty years, she developed expertise in training adult learners in both government and the private sector, with a special focus on training individuals to become better managers. She authored numerous publications on leadership and training for prominent consulting companies, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Educational Research Services, and Human Technology, Inc. She served in the training department at the Central Intelligence Agency, and led training projects at other prominent federal agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

In addition to her technical publications, Dr. Kunder authored a widely acclaimed book "Blooming Late," which focused on how women after age fifty can continue to have productive, exciting lives. The book was notably featured during a broadcast of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" on national television. She was also a vibrant member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia, where she taught Sunday school and served as an active member of the Shepherds' Ministry, focused on the needs of parishioners isolated by age, illness, or infirmity.

An adventurous walker and hiker prior to the onset of her illness, Dr. Kunder was famous for outwalking companions on the trail. Of particular note, she climbed the treacherous Andean peak of Huayna Picchu during a visit to the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu in 1979. Such international visits notwithstanding, she frequently noted that her single favorite spot on this earth was the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill overlook, just one mile from her family's farm on Aho Road.

Dr. Kunder is survived by a dear sister and brother, Kate Holder of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Neil Holder (Sharon) of Mountain City, Tennessee; ten nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and dear friends Peggy Yates, Karen Britt, and James Kunder, her former spouse. She was preceded in death by her parents; by sisters Sue Rash, Ann Critcher, and Lila Carole Holder; and by her brothers Edwin Holder and Earl Holder.

Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 PM Friday, October 4, 2024, at Friendship Church. Interment will follow in Friendship Church Cemetery. Pastor Joey Byrd will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00, prior to the service.

As a child, Dr. Kunder attended services at the Friendship Church, a short distance from the Holder Family farm and the adjoining Blue Ridge Parkway, in the Aho community.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.