James Holder

Dr. James F. Holder, age 84, left this earthly home on May 12, 2023 at his ranch house on Eagle Creek surrounded by his loving wife and his family. He was born April 8th, 1939 in Winslow, AZ to Gene and Helen Holder. Jim spent his high school days participating in sports, he was captain of his track team and earned a scholarship to play basketball for Eastern Arizona College. He furthered his education at Northern Arizona University where he met Clarice. He and Clarice started dating and were married September 1st, 1960. They then moved to Los Angelas to continue Jim’s education at the Southern California College of Optometry, achieving his doctorate and becoming an optometrist in 1963. Shortly after they became loving parents to Will, Norman and Suzy. He spend his working years sharing his passion and his smile in his optometry practices in Flagstaff, AZ and in Safford, AZ. Dr. Holder, as many knew him, won numerous awards during his 43 years practicing optometry in Arizona. He also pioneered the first rural out patient surgery center for cataract patients. Jim was a man of many talents and spent most of his free time away from his practice out at Anchor Ranch on Eagle Creek. When he retired, he moved out to Eagle Creek to live his dream of being a full time rancher. He showed his love for the land and for it’s animals through his sweat, occasional tears and a handful or two of curse words. He taught all of his children and grandchildren how to respect the earth and all of its beautiful creatures. Those who had the pleasure of knowing Jim loved him for his wit, his intelligence and his ability to make them feel special. Jim Holder will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his beautiful wife; children Will (Jan) Holder, Norman (Anna) Holder and Suzy (Bruce) Bingham; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters and his grand daughters Kinsey Holder and Claire Holder all of whom will give him the warmest of welcomes. A private celebration of his life will take place at Anchor Ranch. Jim’s family asks that all that knew him take a minute out of their day to think of a memory of him that you hold dear and share it with someone. Jim’s favorite way to sign off was always “Pray for Peace and Rain” and the family asks that you do just that.