It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of James R Holtz on Saturday, July 18th in Grand Forks, B.C. following complications from kidney cancer. Jim was born May 2, 1946 in Moline, Illinois. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire and received a BA from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. In 1968, unable to condone the war in Vietnam, he came to Canada with his first wife, Carol. The U.S.’s loss was Canada’s gain. Jim completed his B.Ed at UBC and taught English and Theatre Arts at George Elliot Secondary School in Winfield for 33 years. During this time, he and Carol raised two exceptional daughters, Susan and Rebecca, both of whom Jim was extremely proud. In 1991 Jim remarried and enjoyed 26 amazing years with his second wife Judy Morrice. They loved and complemented each other, enjoying their wonderful friends, their cabin on Shuswap Lake, their acreage in Grand Forks and on many sailing vacations. Theirs was an exceptional love that both he and Judy felt was a rare gift indeed and Judy will treasure always. A man with many interests, Jim was an avid sailor, both racing and for pleasure and was a past Commodore at Kelowna Yacht Club. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast who enjoyed riding throughout his life. In addition he was a coach, a poet, a novelist, a playwright and a gifted actor and director. Truly a renaissance man.
Throughout his illness Judy rarely left his side, and together with his daughters, was with him at the end. He will be greatly missed by Judy, Susan and Rebecca, by Rebecca’s two sons, Logan and Luke, grandsons who Jim loved dearly. He will also be mourned by a host of friends who will miss his laughter, his stories and wonderful dry humour. A celebration will be held at Kelowna Yacht Club, 1370 Water Street, Kelowna from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 23 to honour Jim with humour and fond memories. Condolences may be sent to: jimholtzfamily@gmail.com .