James Millard Holland

James Millard Holland, 82, of Roachdale found peace on Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

He was born Feb. 5, 1928, in Greencastle to Loie Woodworth and Charles Nathaniel Holland of Brick Chapel who later moved to Roachdale. He graduated from Roachdale High School in 1947.

Mr. Holland was a lifelong resident of Roachdale and was involved in many community activities such as the Roachdale Lions Club, the PMH Ambulance service, Roachdale Fire Department and the Putnam County Civil Defense.

Jim enjoyed his hometown and was always ready to help with any community project. He married Mary Jeanne Lanham on May 12, 1952, after three years of service in the Navy on the ship Kearsearge that sailed the Mediterranean. He raced stockcars in the 1950s at Jungle Park in Parke County until his new wife found it too harrowing.

Starting at Anderson, Jim worked for General Motors, retiring in 1983 from Allisons in Speedway after more than 30 years of service. His two biggest passions were being a Roachdale Lions Club member and an E.M.T. on the PMH ambulance service. His family fondly remembers him with his Lions Club hat on, serving hand-battered fish sandwiches during the Roachdale Fourth of July celebrations each year yelling "hot fish, get your hot fish."

In 1976, he help found the PMH ambulance service and was proudly an EMT until he could no longer do so. Jim enjoyed his wife and daughter working alongside him as EMTs. After retiring from General Motors, he operated a small bulldozing business, Holland Excavating, and built many ponds and cleared many local farmers' fields.

He was a member of the Roachdale Christian Church for many years and enjoyed going to church, seeing his friends and being involved with church's activities.

In 1991, his wife Mary passed away from breast cancer. Jim enjoyed life on his farm, which included finding mushrooms in the spring, harvesting pumpkins in the fall and just enjoying his pond and acreage. Jim will be remembered as a patient and loving father, devoted husband, church deacon and community member.

Survivors include daughters Pamela Sue Morgan of Fincastle and Robin Lynn Feller of Brownsburg; son James Nathaniel Holland of Costa Rica; grandchildren Michael Shane Young of Roachdale and Molly Lynn Feller of Brownsburg; and brothers and sisters Florence of California, Hazel Poore of Florida, George of Texas, Grace Henderson, June, and Mildred Casey of Mooresville.

His siblings Mae, Warren, Charles Courtney "C.C." and Glenn preceded him in death.

Special thanks to the Roachdale Tri-County Bank, friends at the Roachdale Christian Church and the staff at Brownsburg Meadows during difficult times.

Funeral services will be held at the Roachdale Christian Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Mick Buchanan officiating. Burial will be at Roachdale Cemetery.

Calling will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Servies & Morgan Funeral Home, Roachdale.

Online condolences may be made at www.serviesmorgan.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.