James Holdren, Jr.

James Paul Holdren Jr., age 56, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025, surrounded by his family at Heart to Heart Hospice House in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jim was born on October 16, 1969, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to James and Marjorie Holdren. He spent his early childhood in southern California, his school years in Palisade, Colorado, and his high-school years in Central Point, Oregon. He graduated from Crater High School in 1988.

While living in Oregon, Jim worked as a landscaper for 11 years. In 2005, he moved to Tolar, Texas, and worked at Hidden Oaks Golf Course for two years. In 2009, he began his long and joyful employment with Squaw Valley Golf Course in Glen Rose, Texas. In 2021, he made his home in DeCordova, Texas.

Jim loved people, and he shared his smile with everyone he met. He enjoyed going to church and lighting the candles, bowling, landscaping, puzzles, dancing, music, fishing, and building with LEGO. His greatest passion, however, was golf. Tuesdays and Thursdays were especially meaningful to him—you could always find him playing in the DeCordova scrambles. He took great pride in his work as a range-ball picker at Squaw Valley, bringing joy to golfers every day. Jim never met a stranger.

He is survived by his parents, Marjorie and Fred Smith; sisters Susan Porter of Medford, Oregon, and Judy Shea of DeCordova, Texas; stepsister Chandra Leeper of Aurora, Colorado; and stepbrother Chet Smith of Castle Rock, Colorado. He also leaves behind five nieces, eight nephews, and countless great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Paul Holdren, and his sister, Sandra Lynn Holdren Jones.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 4, at Wiley Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place on Friday, December 5, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial at Acton Cemetery in Acton, Texas. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the DeCordova Clubhouse for all friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the DeCordova Bend Estates Jr. Golf Program. These contributions will provide scholarships to ensure all youth interested in golf can enjoy the game, in memory of Jim Holdren.

Please send donations to:

DCBE Country Club

5301 Country Club Drive

Granbury, TX 76049