John "Pop" Holland

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John E. Holland. Pop was born in Alfalfa, OK, on July 17, 1926 and answered his "Final Alarm" on December 23, 2013. He passed away peacefully in San Pedro with his family at his side - he was 87. He was a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Pop married the love of his life, Mary in 1944 and raised three children. Pop proudly served his country as a Sgt in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was assigned to a P-61 Black Widow and was part of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron. After basic training at Keesler Field in Mississippi, where he qualified as an airplane and engine mechanic/welder, he was sent to be part of the Asiatic Pacific Campaign where he spent time in Japan and on Okinawa. In the air, Pop was a gunner, and when on the ground he served as the Supervising Sgt in charge of the welding shop. After the war, he spent time in the ship yards before joining the Los Angeles City Fire Department on May 1, 1950. He served the people of Los Angeles for 30 years before retiring and spending more time with Mary. Pop loved to camp, hunt, rebuild engines, take Mary to Buck Meadows in the High Sierras, travel to play keno in Las Vegas and watch the grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. He was one of a kind and will truly be missed by those he left behind. Pop was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary and son Johnny. He is survived by his son Jim (Diane), daughter Janie (Phil). 5 grandchildren; Sarah, Jodi, Missy, Jimmy and Michael. And 7 great-grandchildren; Grace, Katelynne, Hannah, Wyatt, Stephen, Elijah and Emma, plus little Levi is due in May 2014. Pop's Memorial Service will be at Green Hills Mortuary Chapel, 27501 S Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 11:00am.

Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275