Jeffrey Owen Holland

Jeffrey Owen Holland passed away quickly and most unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 due to Covid related complications. He moved on from this life exactly how he wanted to—peacefully and in his sleep. Jeff was born on October 5, 1943 to Lola Anita Goodrich Holland and Hugh Van Nuys Holland in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was raised by his amazing mom and his equally amazing grandmother, Saucy. He loved them both very much. He had the biggest capacity to love and truly had love for absolutely ANYONE and everyone (except if you cut him off in traffic(!).

He was extremely proud to serve his country in the Army Military Police in France during the Vietnam War. When he was 27 , he met his wife, Gaby Shuk Yin Fung Holland in the Bay Area. He thought she was so dang pretty. He stole her right out from under the nose of her then boyfriend. They were married March 21, 1971.

He was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1973. To be a member of the church was very important to him. He felt it was one of his greatest and best achievements. The missionaries helped him quit smoking in a week(!) and told him he could have his family forever. He was sold on the spot. He understood and valued what it meant to have an eternal family. He and Gaby were sealed in the Oakland Temple in 1974.

They had three fantastic children, Isaiah Ging (deceased), Dawnita Yuen Ming, and Jared Ging. They were the light and focus of his life (that is until the grandkids came along—not sure, but he might have loved them just a tiny bit more).

Jeff truly gave his whole heart and soul into any project he worked on. Whether it was golfing, hunting, being a Republican, coaching kids’ sports teams, sending out memes, reffing church basketball, being the neighborhood bike mechanic, posting on Facebook, being in “Facebook Jail” (14 times!!), teaching us how to mow the lawn, ski, drive, four-wheel, jeep, shoot, boat, or motorcycle, singing in the car on long road trips, planning giant Fourth of July fireworks spectaculars in the cul-de-sac, or even just taking long naps, there was nothing he did without giving it his all.

He will be so missed—especially his big “Papa Bear” hugs. No one could give a hug better than him. But the most important thing he taught us was that in God we can have true happiness in the eternities and be together again. And that through his Savior, Jesus Christ, he will find the answers he long searched for, that he will truly find his rest and have peace. We love you Daddy/Pops/Papa/Papa Jeff/Jeff-ooo. Abe said it perfectly: “Where will Papa be? He will be in your heart. That’s where he will be.” Dad, you will always be in our hearts. Till we meet again—24/7/365, 4-EVER.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Gaby, his daughter, Dawnita (Jared) and his son, Jared Ging (Alisa). He also had 7 incredible grandchildren: Olivia (20, serving a mission in Denver), Ian (17), Bo (15), Adrian (15), Isaiah (13), Aberdeen (Abe, 7), and Alistair (3).

The family would love to give their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Lakeview Hospital, especially Crystal and Sarah, who not only lovingly cared for our dad, but made it possible for us to be with him through FaceTime and in person. Thank you will never be sufficient.

In lieu of flowers, Gaby would ask that you donate to the Missionary fund for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.