On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Lord called Jim home to heaven after several years of multiple health concerns. He was born on April 2, 1955, in South Haven, MI, to Harold and Janice (Ruell) Holman. Jim was baptized as a child of God on May 15,1955 and on March 30, 1969, Jim professed his faith at his confirmation both at St. Paul's in South Haven, MI.
Jim graduated from L.C. Mohr High in South Haven in 1973. An accomplished runner and student, he had plans to run on scholarship and pursue a career in political science. His former elementary school principal, Dave Brohn, recommended he consider applying to Dr. Martin Luther College to become a teacher. Surprisingly, Jim decided to attend and this decision transformed the rest of his life.
While in college, Jim met Cindi Zahn. They discovered they shared a birthday, which led to their first date and the beginning of 48 wonderful years of marriage. Jim and Cindi graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, in 1977 with degrees in education. Upon graduation, Jim was assigned to St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in Rapid City, South Dakota. There he served as the principal of a one-room school that grew to a multiple room school.
Jim and Cindi were married at St. John's Lutheran Church in Jefferson, WI, on June 24, 1978.
While in Rapid City, Jim achieved his master's degree in Educational Administration from South Dakota State University. Their oldest son Chris was born in 1979. Jim's next call moved the family of three to Citrus Heights, California in 1982 where he would serve as principal and teacher at St. Mark's Lutheran School. In 1983, their second son, Adam, was born. Jim's ever restless nature and passion for sharing his faith led him to always look for new challenges and opportunities. In 1991, Jim was called to start a one-room English-speaking school in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Living in the former communist country was a lifelong dream for Jim and created lasting memories for him and his family. After their one year in Pilsen, the family returned to St. Mark's, with Jim serving as the Minister of Family and Youth. Jim loved the community of St. Mark's and was blessed with deep and long-lasting relationships with friends and colleagues from his time serving there. Jim was also blessed to fulfill a lifelong passion for mission work and travel when he was appointed to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) World Mission Board. His work focused on support for the mission work in Southeast Asia. He traveled frequently to Asia to meet with the missionaries and families serving that part of the world.
In 2004, Jim and Cindi both accepted calls back to the Midwest and served at St. Marcus Lutheran School on the north side of Milwaukee. Jim thoroughly enjoyed his time serving St. Marcus and the community of Milwaukee. In 2006, Jim accepted a position as the Director of Teaching Education at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee. In this role, he shared his enthusiasm and dedication to education with his students. Jim led a number of educational tours with students that focused on early American history or Civil Rights history. His deep and lifelong love of American history was on full display during these trips.
Jim retired in 2024 after almost 50 years in the ministry. He spent his retirement like he spent his working years, immersed in books. Bookshelves were found broken under the increasing weight of his love of reading. He also loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren in Detroit and San Francisco. In both places, he loved coffee shops, Chinese food, and bookstore shopping with his grandchildren. Most mornings, he could be found solving the world's problems on a phone call with one or both of his brothers. Above all, Jim's deep faith in his Savior was his greatest passion, motivation, and encouragement.
Throughout Jim’s nearly three year health struggle, he was surrounded by the gifted hands and minds of exceptional doctors and nurses. Jim’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all and especially the entire Oncology team at Aurora Cancer Center in Grafton, specifically Dr. Peter Polewski, his primary care physician, Dr Gina Galindo, and his physical therapist, Greg Rasmussen.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Janice Holman, his brother Michael Holman, and his sister-in-law Brenda Holman.
He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia (Zahn) Holman; two devoted sons, Chris (Cristina Bastianelli) Holman and Adam (Katy Hugo) Hugo-Holman. His beloved grandchildren are Ella, Addyson, and Camryn Holman, and Amelia, Vivienne, and George Hugo-Holman. Jim also leaves his brothers, Thomas and Joseph (Adrienne) Holman, Cindi's siblings Bob, Rick (Tina), Kris, and Terry (Lisa), many loved cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1209 N. Broadway in Milwaukee, WI. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the service beginning at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be considered for:
Grace Lutheran Church
WELS World Missions: You are welcome to specify Asian-Oceania