Jim Holley

James (Jim) Louis Holley, age 71, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 25th
surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Jim was born on
January 1st, 1947 in Pilot Point, Texas to James and Bertha Holley. Jim grew up in Garland,
Texas and was a graduate of Garland High School. He graduated from Texas A&M University
in 1970 with an industrial engineering degree and later earned his MBA from the University of
Dallas. Jim was employed at Texas Instruments for over 30 years before changing careers to
become a master of mathematics high school teacher.
Jim was a sports fanatic. He prided himself on being a great athlete, or as he would say,
Ath-A-Lete. In the short time he was able to spend in retirement, you could find him on the golf
course almost daily. It was just about the only time you wouldn't find him with a Keystone Light,
as he took his golf game very serious.
For those who knew him best, you know it was hard to have a conversation with him
without getting some sort of sarcastic jab thrown your way. His quick wit is what made him so
funny and so easy to like. Jim had a great sense of humor, and was able to keep it even in the
late stages of his cruel disease.
We all know that Jim loved his Aggies, and he most certainly defined an aggie in every
sense of the word. He was a brilliant engineer and math teacher but he definitely had plenty of
"Aggie moments." As his kids would lovingly say, " he was the most intelligent dumb ass you
would ever meet."
Jim Holley is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Bertha Holley. He is survived by
his wife Diane Holley, brother Joe Holley (Brenda), sister Nancy Holley, and three children
Jimmy Holley (Brittney), Kristi Risner (Jayson), and Katie Stinton (Zach). Jim had two
step-children, David Perry (Laura), and Chris Perry (Jenna). Jim was also survived by nine
grand children, Jayson (Blanca), Bailey, Mikala, McKinley, Wyatt, Reese, Sloane, Cruz, and
Max. Jim also had 4 step grandchildren, Jenna, Luke, Brayden, and Megan as well as 3 great
grandchildren, Rolando, Jason, and Tyler. Jim had a special place in his heart for his
brother-in-law, Ron Botten, who was his primary caregiver as his disease progressed. Jim was
also survived in death by his loving in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m at Charles W. Smith and Sons located at 601
South Tennessee Street in Mckinney. The funeral will be held Wednesday, August 29th, at 10
A.M. at St. Michael's Catholic Church located at 411 Paula Road in Mckinney. There will also
be a small celebration of life for Jim's golfing buddies and White Bluff Community at The White
Bluff Chapel at 1:00 p.m. on Friday August 31st.