Holden, John Keith

John Keith Holden passed away on March 25, 2024, in Chattanooga, Tennessee after a valiant fight to overcome significant health challenges over the last several years.

Keith’s 85 years on earth were filled with much love, kindness, travel, family time, compassion, and quiet service along with a fulfilling career and interests.

Keith was born on October 21, 1938, in Glendale, California to Don and Louise (Reeder) Holden. He grew up in the Los Angeles area with loving parents and younger sister, Lee Ann. This was the golden era of Southern California, when it was the ideal place to raise a family; Keith and his friends trekked through the Verdugo Hills and surrounding areas by bicycle on all-day explorations and their mothers had no reason to worry for their safety. Keith graduated from Glendale High School in 1956.

His lifelong passion for cars began with his 1949 Ford – a classic! It was because of this vehicle, Keith fortuitously met Ellen Stinson, who later became his beloved wife. Keith graduated from the University of Southern California in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and afterwards completed Naval Officer Candidate School and Naval Supply School.

Keith married the love of his life, Ellen Stinson, in 1961 in La Canada, Ca. Shortly after their wedding, he began his 18-month assignment on a World War II, Fletcher-class destroyer, stationed in San Diego, and then onto Oakland, California for shore duty.

After successfully completing his Navy service, Keith began his long career with the Chevrolet division of General Motors; first in Salt Lake City, Utah and then in Twin Falls, Idaho where Keith and Ellen bought their first home and welcomed three children to their family. Growing professional responsibilities brought long hours and additional relocations; first back to Utah, then to Los Angeles, Ca. and finally in 2001 to Detroit, Mi., where Keith and Ellen thrived, living in Bloomfield Hills for 38 years. Representing General Motors, Keith worked with Chevrolet dealerships throughout the United States and was sought after for his expert knowledge of auto industry best practices.

Keith appreciated Ellen tremendously for supporting his long hours and frequent work travel as she took on much of the daily responsibilities of raising children. Keith called Ellen at home each day at noon to check in on the daily happenings, listen, and offer support.

Keith loved spending time outdoors and developed hobbies in each place he lived. Keith enjoyed fly fishing, camping, hunting, bicycling, and skiing. His love of motorcycles began with hours spent on his dirt bike in the mountains of Utah, followed by progressively bigger and better street bikes in California and Michigan. Keith loved taking multi-day motorcycle trips and was equally delighted in the short neighborhood rides with his young children and then with his grandchildren seated with him.

Through his eclectic taste in music and a lifelong thirst for learning, Keith amassed an incredible library of CDs, records, and books spanning the decades of his life, inspiring his children to have curious minds and broad taste in music.

Despite a heavy travel schedule for work, Keith kept his yard immaculate; a trait he learned from his father. He fully embraced the challenge of making the yard beautiful with colorful flowers from Detroit’s Eastern Market, despite being colorblind. In Michigan, about the time he grew tired of mowing the lawn by the late fall, it was time to put the snowplow on the tractor lawn mower and Keith continued enjoying time in the yard by keeping the long, hilly driveway, sidewalk, and section of road in front of the house, snow-free.

Keith relished keeping the family’s vehicles in pristine condition at all times, ensured car maintenance was performed on time and filled gas tanks promptly when the tank reached half-empty. Not a crumb, speck of dust, crumpled paper, smudge, or stray jacket made its way into the cars. It was a special treat on long family road trips when the next rest stop was too far away and the picnic lunch Ellen packed in the trusty ice chest was enjoyed in the car, a rare treat! Keith loved driving, and he took his family on many extensive road trips across the country, including memorable adventures in their full-size converted van.

As the children got older, Keith and Ellen’s travels expanded and after Keith retired in 2001, they began traveling the world extensively. Keith’s vast collection of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats from travels around the globe with Ellen became the envy of his granddaughters. His collection is legendary.

In his retirement, he became an avid bicycle rider and discovered the thrill of having no schedule. Having polish dogs for lunch at Costco with his best friend, Jim Dorrell, became a spontaneous tradition. He delighted in his regular long bike rides with his friends, Larry Kesler and Al Kebl. He persuaded Ellen to join him on rides by planning routes that included a stop for ice cream or lunch. Keith tracked down bikes of all sizes to ensure visiting grandchildren always found a bike in the garage just their size to ride when they visited. He effortlessly biked up to 40 miles a day several days a week on Michigan’s Rails to Trails bike paths, until the effects of a stroke at age 79 impacted his balance.

Quietly serving others was a hallmark in Keith’s life. He did this without any expectations or need of acknowledgement. Keith’s exceptional ability to see the needs of others, whether spoken or unspoken, led him to compassionately help others in ways large and small. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keith served faithfully. During his years in Michigan’s Bloomfield Hills Ward, Keith served in the Detroit, Michigan temple presidency with his wife; taught Sunday School and Primary; was the high priest group leader; served as bishopric counselor; ward financial clerk; high counselor; and as a service missionary with Ellen in a struggling downtown Detroit branch of the church.

Spending time with his adult children and grandchildren who lived in New York, Tennessee and Utah brought great joy to Keith. In his quiet, patient, and observant way, he made a point of getting to know each grandchild, learning about their interests, and forming special traditions with each. Memories of root beer runs, hiking adventures, challenging grandkids to go on their first roller coaster rides at Cedar Point amusement park, special event attendance, family jokes, and his consistent phone calls to learn the outcome of special events and activities will always be treasured by his grandchildren. Keith was compassionate and mindful about the difficult challenges facing his children and grandchildren. He prayed daily for their well-being and happiness.

Keith and Ellen’s move to Signal Mountain, in 2018, to be closer to family, brought many more opportunities for precious family time. Keith is cherished by his family who survive him, including his wife of 62 years, Ellen Holden and children Mark (Melissa) of Franklin, Tn., Lara (Jay) Signal Mountain, Scott (Sarah) of Springville, Utah and grandchildren, Elizabeth Holden, Annie Holden, Katie Holden, Caroline Holden, William Holden, Chloe Caughman Read (Curtis), Sophie Caughman, Sadie Caughman, Ella Holden, Asher Holden, Ethan Holden, Cate Holden and great-grandson Knox John Holden, brother-in-law Pat Gillespie and nephew Darren Gillespie.

Preceding Keith in death are his parents, Don and Louise (Reeder) Holden and sister Lee Ann (Holden) Gillespie.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, March 30, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1160 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain.

Keith’s family will receive friends prior to the service at the church, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Interment at Chattanooga National Cemetery will be on Monday, April 1, at 11 a.m.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421