In Remembrance of James T. Holland, who passed away at his home on January 24, 2013.
A lovely memorial service was given for Jim on February 10th in Seattle. Family members and friends celebrated his life with wonderful memories they had about a man very much loved and admired.
Jim, born in 1920 and raised in Seattle, outlived his siblings Eugene, John, and Ruth. He attended Madrona Grade School and Garfield High School where he played the violin in the all-city orchestra. Jim had a love of music and hymns throughout his life. Jim also had a love of sports at an early age. He was very athletic and pushed himself in tennis, swimming, biking, and hiking. He claims to have swam across Green Lake in Seattle more than anyone else ever, which is quite likely true. He would do this daily from late spring to early fall from the early 60’s into the 90’s.
Following high school graduation in 1938, he attended the University of Washington until 1942. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Marshall, on Labor Day, 1942. Jim enlisted in the US Army that fall and was shipped overseas in the spring of 1943. Jim parachuted into Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6th,1944 and continued to serve in the US Army in England, France, and Germany to the end of WWll, returning home in 1945.
In downtown Seattle, Jim worked for 38 years from 1945 to 1983 for Richardson and Holland (R&H) in purchasing and plant management, which he ran with his brothers. During his entire career he had perfect attendance. Almost anyone in the Seattle area during that era had a milkshake or sundae made with R&H products.
During a 36-year marriage with Juanita, Jim was father to: Virginia (husband Frank Wyland), Van (wife Katie), Jamie (passed away 1988), Chris (wife Kathryn Kelsey), and Leif (partner Brian McGuffey). Juanita passed away in September 1978.
Jim married Jayne DeWitt Lawyer in February 1979. With Jayne another four adult children and their spouses were added to the family: Pam (husband Ed Loomis), Becky (passed away in 1991, husband Bob Mix), Lafe (wife Cleveland Hall), and Wendy (husband Corlan Carlson).
Jim and “Jayne Ann”, as he called her, were the best of companions in all they did. They traveled to China, Europe, and all over the U.S. visiting extended family and friends. Jim and Jayne divided their time living in Seattle and on Whidbey, enjoying bike riding, swimming (Jim would swim across Goss Lake while Jayne rowed a rubber raft next to him), watching tennis and baseball on TV, attending Husky football and basketball games, traveling with the grandchildren, listening to music and attending concerts. Many happy times were spent walking their first dog, Chelsea, in Ravenna Park and on Foster Island in Seattle, and then Mr. Dooley on Double Bluff, Ebey’s Landing, and Sunlight Beach on Whidbey.
Some of the best memories were made when the family, now much larger, celebrated holidays and Jim’s birthday together with Virginia’s piano playing and singing. Jim enjoyed keeping up with his numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren from both marriages. He loved hearing from all of them, and was proud of their accomplishments.
Jim and Jayne eventually settled on Whidbey Island where they enjoyed sitting together in their sunroom gazing at the Olympic Mountains, the Sound and Sunlight Beach. He often declared “I’m on the top of the world”, and then couldn’t resist singing the words from that song made famous by the Carpenters. To Jim, to be home with Jayne was the dearest spot on earth. For Jayne, his love will be in her heart forever. He was a blessing to the whole family and will be missed.
