James W. Holdridge, 88, of DeKalb, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb.

He was born September 21, 1935, in DeKalb, Illinois, the son of Wayne and Alice (Jacobson) Holdridge. James married Mary “Pam” Lewis on October 20, 1956, in Nevada.

James attended DeKalb High School. He was a Veteran of the US Air Force, having served from 1952 to 1956. James worked for Meadow Gold and then Muller Pinehurst for over thirty years, retiring in 1992. He also worked for Stahl/Curran Construction for twenty-six years.

He is survived by his children Debra (Gary) Underwood of De Soto, MO, Jeffery (Janet) Holdridge of Moore, OK, Kenneth (Jane) Holdridge of Cortland, Jennifer (Michael) Clark of DeKalb and Ralph (Erin) Holdridge of Cortland; his eighteen grandchildren; his thirty-six great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary “Pam”; his parents; his brothers Elvin, Laverne and Clarence in infancy; his sister Wilma and his great-grandchild Mary Rose.

A special thank you to the first responders, Dr. Ahmad, Dr. Hussain, Dr. Zaverdas, Northwestern/DeKalb Clinic, and Northwestern/Kish Hospital staff.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home in DeKalb with Deacon Joshua Holdridge officiating. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery, in DeKalb, with Full Military Honors by DeKalb American Legion Post 66.  

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Holdridge Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.