John Clay Holland

John was born September 3, 1918, in Rectortown, VA, the sixth of seven children to CPT & Mrs. George A. Holland. As a young man, growing up in Phoebus, VA, John received his early education in the Hampton Public School System and graduated from George P. Phenix High School on Jun 7, 1938. John ran track and played basketball for the “Baby Pirates”. He was one of the members on the 1936 VA State High School Interscholastic Basketball Championship Team, which the “Baby Pirates” won at VA State College, Petersburg, VA on Mar 14.

John was awarded scouting highest honor, the Eagle Scout Award in 1936. He is the first Negro Eagle Scout in The Colonial Virginia Council as well as the first for Troop 30 on the campus of Hampton Institute. On November 12, 2010, John was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America, The Colonial Virginia Council as one of the Pioneers of Scouting. John proudest moment; was earning the Eagle Scout with bronze and silver palm. John credits the life skills he learned as a scout to many accomplishments within his personal and professional life.

After graduating from Phenix High School, Class of 1938, John attended Virginia State College in Petersburg VA. Because of his love for horses and dogs, he majored in Animal Husbandry. While attending Virginia State, he was drafted into the Army Air Corp-WWII, which resulted in him leaving college. John was assigned to the 244th AAF Base Unit, Ft George Meade, MD on 25 Aug 42. Because of his love for basketball, he played for the 521st Unit B basketball team. John served his country for four years as the Unit Clerk Typist eventually rising to the rank of E6. He was honorable discharged in 1946, and received the American Theater Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal.

John started his career with Burlington Railroad in 1948 which later became Amtrak Railroad, eventually rising to the position of Head Steward. During his years of service with Amtrak and into retirement, John resided in Lincoln, Nebraska with his wife Beulah until her death in 1995. After a short illness he relocated to Hampton, VA with his niece Mary and her husband James in 2006.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Beulah, his parents, CPT George and Mary Holland and five sisters, Alpha Holland, Segunda Holland, Naomi Hardiman, Omega Kellam and Mary Watkins; nephews Robert Hawkins and William Hawkins, and niece- Yvonne W. Helms.

John leaves to forever treasure is memory, his nephew John Watkins Sr (Maria), and nieces, Priscilla Channel (Horace), Delores Evans, Mary Ridley (James), Barbara Simpson, Susanne Almond and three additional generations of nephews and nieces as well as a host of cousins.

John had an awesome sense of humor, loved horses and dogs. His favorite pass time was horse betting. He could still pick a good horse at 100-year-olds. John loved history and read many books before his vision declined.

John can be described as mild-mannered and an easy-going guy. He has always been a man of a few words but a very wise man.