James Richard Holliday

James Richard Holliday (known as “Jim” to his friends, and “Uncle Jimmy” or “Pa” to family), beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather, passed away in his Yorba Linda home on July 6, 2025 at age 96.

Jim was born to Richard and Rachel Holliday on March 23, 1929 in Atladena, California, and was blessed with his beloved wife Elaine (also known as “Nana”, to whom he was married for 74 years), three loving children: Jan, Ann, and Tom; four amazing grandchildren: Chris, Erin, Ben, and Eric; three caring step-grandchildren: Cathy, David, and Kevin; seventeen wonderful great-grandchildren, three new great-great-grandsons, and dear sister, Cathy Wass.

Jim graduated from Pasadena Junior College School with a high school diploma in 1946 . Jim served in the US Navy from 1946 to 1948, and was a proud World War II veteran. After his military service, he married Elaine Marie Smith in 1949 and began a career with Pacific Bell. Jim retired from the telephone company, and in 1980 co-founded JHC, Inc, a telecommunications consulting firm that he ran until his second retirement in 1991.

Along the way, Jim and Elaine traveled to all fifty U.S. states (including fifty-seven trips to Hawaii), twenty-five foreign countries, and took countless long road trips. In their early years, they would sometimes tag-team drive for twenty-four hours straight with their three kids in tow. In their later years, they would frequently visit family in Washington State, Tennessee, and Hawaii. Jim and Elaine traveled many times with their adult children and families, and enjoyed travel adventures with their dear friends.

Jim was a devout Christian. He was baptized by the well known pastor J. Vernon McGhee. Jim spent his life active in the church and devoted to God’s word. He taught a senior adult Sunday school class, served on the church’s elder board, and hosted Bible studies. At every family gathering, Jim would say grace.

Pa, was an avid golfer, walking the course and carrying his bag well into his 80s. He was known for his firm handshakes and crushing “hugs”, was loved by family for his wise life advice and words to live by. Among them were “don’t go broke saving money”, “if you can’t stand the answer, don’t ask the question”, “the worst they can say is no”, “what’s the worst case scenario?”, “is there a test afterwards?”, and later in life, “I’ve finally realized that I don’t need to be right”. Pa loved Nana’s flank steak, dried fruit, popcorn and ice cream on Sundays, and shouting at children splashing water out of his swimming pool.

Jim loved life and lived it to the fullest. Every chance Jim had, he spoke about how truly blessed his life has been.

We will miss his words of wisdom, Sunday morning pancakes, the echo of his call for “ELAINE!”, his laughter, and his presence as first on the scene during any time of need. We find comfort in knowing he is home with both Nana and his Savior, and that there is now unhindered access on this earth to the thermostat and remote control.

A graveside service for James will be held Monday, August 4, 2025 from 10:45 AM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518.