John Holland

HOLLAND, John Carter, Age 86 of Nashville, TN passed away on June 26, 2009. A native of Macon County, TN, he was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Pacific theater as a celestial navigator of a B-24 Bomber. In air combat over Iwo Jima, he successfully navigated his crew in a badly shot up aircraft to a safe landing after it had been hit by ground fire and attacked by several enemy fighter aircraft. Following that mission, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary heroism. His entire adult life was dedicated to the preaching and teaching of God's word. He retired after serving for more than 50 years as minister to congregations of the Church of Christ in Red Boiling Springs, Old Hickory, Harriman, Hermitage, Goodlettsville, TN and Gamaliel, KY, Martinsville, VA, and the Charlotte Ave. congregation in Nashville, TN. At the time of his death he was a member of the Bellevue Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. He was also a retired professor of mathematics at David Lipscomb University. His love for his students was well known. His favorite hobby was woodworking and he found great joy in crafting items in his workshop. His greatest passion, however, was just talking and joking with his family and multitude of friends. He loved telling "Brer Rabbit" and "Geronimo" stories to, first his children, then grandchildren and most recently to his great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Lula Holland and his son-in-law, Bobby Roberts. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Beth Jack Vanderpool, Leah Roberts, Carrie David Proctor; grandchildren, Laura Beth Brian Oliver, Staci Josh McCreary, Rachel Thad Bartlett, Allyson Mark Gaither, Holly Aaron Wood, Elizabeth Jane and John David Proctor; great-grandchildren, Holland and Greeley Carter Oliver, Adam, Cate, and Lizy McCreary, MaryKyle and John Mark Bartlett, Brown and Ellie Gaither, Scout Holland Wood. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Holland and nephews, Joey and Mike Holland. Serving as pallbearers will be grandson, John David Proctor, nephews, Joey and Mike Holland, grandson-in-laws, Brian Oliver, Josh McCreary, Mark Gaither, Aaron Wood, and dear family friend, Jay Malone. With the family in spirit but not in presence will be granddaughter, Rachel Bartlett, her husband, Thad and children, MaryKyle and John Mark who are in Trujillo, Honduras continuing his legacy of ministry. Memorial may be made in his honor to the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund, an organization that he passionately supported. The funeral service will be at 2 pm, Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Old Hickory Church of Christ, 1001 Hadley Ave., Old Hickory, TN, with Don Loftis officiating. The interment will be at Middle TN Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church and Saturday, 4-8 pm at WEST HARPETH FUNERAL HOME 6962 Charlotte Pk 615 352-9400