Long-time Gilroy resident
Long-time Gilroy resident John J. Holson Jr. died unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003. He was 81.
Mr. Holson was born in San Francisco and grew up on a ranch in Los Altos before moving to Gilroy in 1949. In 1974 he joined the City of Gilroy’s building department where, as a senior building inspector and consultant, he oversaw the renovation of several city landmarks, including Old City Hall and the Gilroy Museum. He worked for the city for more than two decades.
In the early 1950s he owned a paint store in Gilroy but closed it after four years and went to work at a local manufacturing company for nearly two decades.
He was an expert craftsman and built the family’s beach house near Santa Cruz as well as custom furniture for himself and his children. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and several Gilroy youth groups when raising his children. He was an expert hunter and fisherman and taught his children to fish in nearby ponds. For 35 years he was a member of the Reinosa Hunting Club near Tres Pinos.
Mr. Holson was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army as a medic in China, Burma and India. He received a special commendation for tending to sick and wounded soldiers who helped regain control of the Burma Road in 1945, a treacherous route stretching across that country which had been captured by Japanese troops and where some of the region’s most ardent fighting took place.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Gandi; his children, Grace Malson, John Holson, Mary Connolly, Laura M. Holson, twin sons Michael and Vincent Holson and twin daughters Gondie Chavez and Frances Hampton; and seven grandchildren.
The Rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy. Elks services will be held Thursday at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a procession to St. Mary Church for a funeral Mass at 11 a.m.
Memorials are preferred to the Trinity County Chamber of Commerce Feed The Fish Program, att’n. Carol Eli, P.O. Box 517, Weaverville, CA 96093. Call (530) 623-6101.
