James Holliday Jr.

James Holliday, Jr., was born September 11, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois to Mary Anna Drennen and James Holliday, Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Francis J. and Robert "Bobby", sister: Glenola and great-nephew: T'mon James earlier years were spent in the Evanston and Chicago areas where he was educated in the Illinois school system. He moved to Texas in the early 60's. He professed his faith in Christ at an early age. He united with the Union Lee Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend J. D. Cleveland where he served faithfully on the Deacon Board, Brotherhood, and Choir. On July 12, 2011, he was honored for outstanding service by Union Lee Missionary Baptist Church.. James was a member of the Pleasant Grove Lodge #5 Mount Carmel Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. Scottish Rite and was a dedicated member of the Austin Chapter GMWA He furthered his education by attending Austin Community College, Antioch University, Yellow Springs, Ohio where he received a BA in Liberal Arts and his Master of Education in Program Development & Counseling. James was the recipient of numerous certifications in the area of Social Work. Among his many accolades were: Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor National Certified Addiction Counselor I National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, Member James was a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). Choosing a career path in social work, James was employed with the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and Gary Job Corps Center (San Marcos, Texas) where he retired. He later worked as a speedometer technician at Overseas Speedometer, until his health began to fail. He was united in holy matrimony to Cynthia on October 6, 1978. James was a devoted husband, a loving father, and friend to many. While his parents have gone to be with the Lord, he found the best surrogates a son-in-law could have in his father and mother-in-law Reverend and Mrs. J.D. Cleveland who loved James as if he were their own. He enjoyed mentoring his many nieces and nephews. James also had a passion for fishing and talking on his CB radio going by the handle of "Slick Lizzard".