Roll Call Tribute

James Ray "Jim" Holley, Lt.Col. USAF (Ret) 

November 7, 1939 - November 11, 2024 

James Ray (Jim) Holley was born on November 7, 1939 in Greenville, Texas to parents Emma Winston Holley and Elmo D. Holley. The family moved to Corpus Christi when Jim was in elementary school. He attended Corpus Christi Ray High School where he played football. Jim earned his BS in Mathematics at Texas A&M University and entered the U.S. Air Force upon graduation in 1962. While serving, he continued his studies, earning his MS in Nuclear Engineering at the Armed Forces Institute of Technology (AFIT) and an MBA through Ohio State University. His doctoral work in nuclear engineering was cut short after his thesis advisor died in a cockpit fire which killed 4 astronauts in 1967. During this time, he served as the Air Force Liaison at the Nevada Nuclear test site.

Jim’s military career included flying F-4 jets, C-140 transport planes and serving as flight instructor in his two tours at the Air Force Academy. While at the Academy, he also served as Deputy Head of the Mathematics Department. His overseas tours included two tours in the Vietnam theater, as a Civilian Affairs Advisor and later a transport pilot. He also coordinated Thunderbird flyovers at the Air Force Academy home football games. His commendations and medals are numerous—including a Bronze Star, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Ethnic Minority Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal with Bronze Clusters. Jim also received a Letter of Commendation from the head of the CIA for clandestine services rendered as a pilot for the USAF.

Following his retirement as Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force in 1983, Jim began his career as a Broker Associate at Rawhide Real Estate Company in Colorado Springs. His hobby became his passion—an avid antique collector and consultant on Old West memorabilia. You can’t keep a Texan out of Texas for long, and he accepted a position at Lockheed Martin in Austin, Texas as a Program Manager for the Aquila Project. He subsequently became Program Manager for nuclear submarines commissioned by the US Navy.

While in Austin, Jim married his Colorado sweetheart, Melinda Foret, since she was willing to move to Texas. After five years in Austin, Jim and Melinda moved to Fredericksburg to enjoy small town life while pursuing real estate and antique collecting. They found their dream home on 22 acres of land with a turn-of-the century Hill Country Home, populating the homestead with dogs and livestock and naming it “Holleyville.” His retirement years were filled with time on the front porch with Melinda and the dogs, as well as visiting friends all over the country.

Jim went to be with our Lord on November 11th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Always his own man, he breathed his last on Veteran’s Day.

Jim is proceeded in death by his parents, Elmo and Emma Holley, and his sister, Billie Katherine Raby. He is survived by his adoring wife of 31 years, Melinda Holley; and three children: Laura (David) Carey, James Matthew Holley (Noel Santini), and Lia (Thomas) Smith; his niece Jana Gann; grandchildren include Olivia Carey (Eddie Ortiz), Kathleen (Billy) Chanthavisouk, Jordan (Marie) Smith, Emma (Jacob) Betts, and Isabella Santini Hoang; and great grandchildren Kennedy Ball, Kassian Chanthavisouk, and Finn Chanthavisouk.

Jim was generous, kind, and never met a stranger. He is remembered fondly for his love of all things Western, and was happiest when wheeling and dealing on a pair of spurs and cheering on the Aggies. His sacrifice through serving in the military and love of country was a model to us all, and we will miss him. Special thanks from the family go to Votive Hospice for their compassionate care during his last days.

A brief military service with honors will be held in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio on Friday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m.

Church services will be at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 at 1:00pm. Visitation with family will follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or The Golden Hub Community Center.

Arrangements are by the Schaetter Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.schaetter.com