James L. "Jeep" Holley

James L. “Jeep” Holley, 82, of Gallipolis, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, April 3, 2017 at the Holzer Medical Center. He was born February 13, 1935 in Nitro, West Virginia, son of the late Orville O. and Audrey G. Higgins Holley. Jeep was married to Rosemarie “Judy” Brewer Holley for 46 years and she preceded him in death on October 31, 2002. He was in the Air Force from 1954-58 and attained the rank of Tech Sgt. during the Korean Conflict. Jeep retired from Goodyear Polymer and Shell Chemical Company. He graduated from Gallia Academy High School in 1954, where he played football and baseball. Jeep was inducted into the Gallia Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. He was an avid supporter of GAHS athletics through the years. A member of Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107, 8 year member of the Gallipolis City School Board, 4 year member of Buckeye Hills School Board, 4 year member of Guiding Hand School Board, and the City Recreation Board for 4 years. He received the Goodyear Spirit Award two times in 1975 and 1982. Jeep was an usher at OSU Football home games for several years. He was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church. Surviving are his daughter, Michele (Jonathan) Beach of Westerville, Ohio; two grandchildren, Marielle and Ian Beach; a sister, Judy (Jerry) Dillon of Gallipolis; a nephew, Mike (Patti) Fife of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and many other nieces and nephews. Services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Grace United Methodist Church in Gallipolis, with Pastor Bill Thomas and Bob Powell officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Street Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church and from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church prior to the funeral. Please consider donations in Jeep’s memory to Grace United Methodist Church, 600 Second Avenue, Gallipolis, OH 45631 or to GAHS Athletics, 2855 Centenary Rd., Gallipolis, OH 45631.