James Wilburn Holley, Sr.

James W. Holley, Sr. beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2015 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born in Big Spring, Texas on August 27, 1930 to Roy and Lula Mae Holley.

James joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and was stationed in Germany. There he met his future wife, Astrid G. Volker, at the resort community of Wasserkuppe and they were married on July 10, 1954. The couple moved to Lubbock , Texas, where James pursued his degree in Geology from Texas Tech University, graduating in 1958. After working for an oil company in Texas and after numerous moves, James choose a career in aerospace and accepted a positon with Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale, California in 1962. The family settled there and raised their two children, Karin and Jim. In 1985, James and Astrid were relocated to Colorado Springs with the company, now Lockheed Martin.

James and Astrid fell in love with Colorado and in 1990 he retired and this became their permanent home. They loved golfing and had golfed in 26 of 50 states. James and Astrid loved travel and were able to spend their 50 anniversary in Germany. James also had a passion for drawing and painting.

James is survived by his loving wife, Astrid, daughter Karin Rhodes and son James W. Holley, Jr. and his wife Nanette. Loving grandchildren are Kristin, Timothy and Katherine Rhodes, and Lauren and Alyssa Holley. He was loved and respected and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Services are planned for Friday, June 19, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave. with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.