Timothy Dwight Holder

Timothy Dwight Holder, 83, of Aurora, Ohio, died March 20, 2026. Born in Bronxville, NY, to Thornton F. Holder and Muriel Peirce (Johnson), he moved with his family to Painesville, then Chardon, OH at an early age. He graduated from Western Reserve Academy in 1960, and attended Wesleyan University.

Holder enjoyed sharing anecdotes about sailing with the Swedish Merchant Marines, and his time in the US Army, where he served as a Morse code intercept operator in Okinawa, and as an interpreter in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He also included stories about his student activism in Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

In 1971, Holder received a BA in political science from The Ohio State University. He was awarded a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1977.

He married Christine Patronik in 1971. Four years later, the couple bought a home in Cleveland Heights. Son Nicholas was born in 1979 followed by Patrick in 1981. Whether roughhousing with his boys, coaching T-ball, or leading camping and backpacking trips as a troop parent with the Boy Scouts in Troop 22, Tim showed up fully for his sons.

During these years, Tim worked as a staff attorney for UAW-GM Legal Services Plan. Recognizing the benefits of a union, he helped organize the Plan's 500 attorneys into the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, serving as president and chief negotiator.

By the time he retired in 2007, the couple had moved to Aurora, OH, where he had time for coin collecting, and plenty of land to grow his favorite tomatoes, birdwatch and enjoy nature. He was very active in the community, especially the Aurora Historical Society where he served as a trustee, life member, and president from 2008-10. He was also a member of the Aurora Landmark Commission for 10 years, a member of American Legion Clare Eggleston Post 803, and the Sons of the American Revolution.

Holder is survived by Christine, his wife of 54 years; son Nicholas of Washington, DC and his wife, Elizabeth (Pollock), granddaughters Ella and Adeline; son Patrick of Piedmont, CA and his wife, Kirsten (Johnson), grandchildren Finnian and Nora; brother Christopher (Kit) and sister-in-law Rebecca Holder, niece Molly, nephews Benjamin and Samuel; brother-in-law Joseph Patronik and sister-in-law Leslie, nieces Robin and and Wendy, nephew Andrew, plus grand-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Tim Holder will be held from noon to 3 pm, Sunday, May 24, 2026 at The Gallery, lower level, of the Aurora Memorial Library building, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH. Elevator access available.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Aurora Historical Society and Museum, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH 44202.