James Darrell Holland

Mr. James Darrell Holland of Niceville, formerly of DeFuniak Springs, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 16, 2019.  He was 82.  He was born September 28, 1936 in Marked Tree, Arkansas to Herman and Mamie Spears Holland.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, he joined the Air Force and married the love of his life, Barbara Bentley Holland, in 1958.  Together, they ‘bloomed where they were planted’ and served their country and their Lord faithfully.  He graduated from Arizona State University and was commissioned as an officer.  In 1972, he was transferred to Eglin AFB as a computer programmer/analyst with the 20th Surveillance Squadron.  He retired in 1980 and began teaching computer science at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College.  He was a talented guitarist who shared his passion for music with anyone who wanted to listen or learn.  He served as the music director for a number of churches.

Mr. Holland was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Bentley Holland, and his daughter, Terri Lynn Holland Robertson; his parents, Herman and Mamie Spears Holland; his sisters, Helen Lodhen and Violet Holland; and his brothers, Bufford Holland and Billy Joe Holland.

He is survived by his daughter, Cathy Holland Drake, and his grandson, Geoffrey Shiloh Drake, of Niceville, FL; his sister, Reba Holland Jackson, and her husband, Ronald, of Carrabelle, FL; his sister, Patricia Joslin, and her husband, Harry, of Mountain Home, ARK; his sister, Karen Tomblin, and her husband, Jimmy, of Fort Pierce, FL; his brother, Steve Holland, and his wife, Tina, of Monette, ARK; his brother, Bobby Holland, and his wife, Jonell, of DeFuniak Springs, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is planned in honor of Darrell and Barbara’s anniversary, July 12th, in DeFuniak Springs and on July 14th in Niceville at CrossRoads Church, times are pending and will be announced at a later date.
 

Many thanks to the friends and family members who made this earthly walk pleasant and brightened our days with prayers, phone calls, notes, visits, and gifts of their time.

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