James (Jim) Rudolph Holland

James (Jim) Rudolph Holland , born, April 19, 1928 in Moultrie, GA, but long time Athens resident passed away December 16, 2022 at age 94. After being born and raised in Moultrie, he left to  start college at Clemson University. World War II interrupted and he served 19 months in the US Army Signal Corp in Italy. After serving, he returned to college at GA Tech and finished his degree in Civil Engineering . He was brought to Athens in 1955 with his job as city engineer, in 1960 he was appointed then Clarke County Engineer.  A few years later he became Clarke’s first county administrator. In 1971, he left the county to form his own company, Landmark Engineering, specializing in surveying and subdivision design.

Jim ran for county commission chair in 1973. He served as county commission chair for 17 years. In 1983, he was elected to serve a one year term as President of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Once his term was finished he continued to stay on the ACCG board for several years.

He coached little league baseball for 18 years. He was an avid reader and loved to fish. Jim took several trips to Canada and Alaska to fish but he especially loved fishing for reds in the flats of Florida and Louisiana.

He was a charter member of Beech Haven Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Joy Holland. His 3 siblings, Remer Laures Holland, Winifred Holland Brannon, Hoyt Lester Holland. His first wife, Carol Hogue Holland and second wife, Betty Smith Holland. Children, Gail, Ellen and infant daughter Jacqueline also preceded him in death.

He is survived by, Jan Gambrell ( Billy), Jeff Rawls (Jan), Jimmy Holland, Beth Saye (Chris). He has 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Lord and Stephens, WEST, Tuesday, December 20, 2022 beginning at 1:00 PM. Services will follow in the chapel at 2:00 PM with Rev. Jerry Varnado officiating.  Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Honorary pallbearers are his long-time fishing buddies, Ronnie Chandler and Nathan Baxter .

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jimmy Hutchins, TJ Rawls, Robert Rawls, Garrett Holland, Bryce Holland, John Saye,  Chris Collins, Brantley Saye

Special thanks to his caregivers at Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Athens Little League athenslittleleague.org or Gideons International gideons.org