Joseph James Holland

Life’s Reflection

Joseph James “Butch” Holland, 62, passed away on July 26 at his home in Kansas City, Kansas.  He was born on December 14, 1954 in Kansas City, Kansas to David Holland and Lula Mae Pippens Holland.

Joseph grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Sumner High School in Kansas City, KS in 1972. At an early age, Joe was baptized and attended Eighth Street Baptist Church.  He was a Boy Scout, played baseball and when he was ages 10 thru 12, he delivered groceries for Slaughter’s Groceries, a neighborhood store on 9^th and Garfield.  Butch was like the mailman, rain, sleet or snow, he delivered his groceries. After high school, he worked at Sunshine Biscuits, Owens Corning Fiberglass, and the Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority.

Joe was well known in the community and is known by his nicknames:  Holly Rock, Solid Rock and it was later shortened to just “Rock”.  In his younger day, Rock was known as a sharp dresser, matching from head to toe, his diamond filled gold heart in his mouth and driving his 1972 Gold and White Cougar with his 3-quarter inch white wall tires. Later in life, you could always find Rock out walking the neighborhood.  Butch was a great cook and could really bar-b-que.  He was a fixture at Tino’s Barber Shop and everybody knew Rock.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, David and Lula Holland; grandparents, Jimmie and Mary Pippens and George and Ophelia Holland; his second oldest son, Ormon M. Holland and nephew David L. Holland, III.

Joe is survived by sons, Orlando Holland and Fabian Dunbar; daughters, Jessica Holland and Jolanda Holland, all of Kansas City, Kansas; his brother, David Lee Holland, Jr. of Kansas City, Kansas and his sister, Michelle Holland of Sarasota, Florida; his 11 grandchildren Allyvia Holland, Jayron Stinson, Ormya Holland, Ormani Holland, Darion Joseph Holland, Emoni Howard, Miraya Holland, Ayjane Holland, Mackenzie Dunbar, Lyrik Carr and Akiyah Holland; his aunt Ernestine Carvin; nephews Darryl Holland and Dewayne Holland and a host of other relatives, friends and his lifetime friends:  Charles Harrison, Leslie Burleson and Michael O. Jones.

Sleep on Rock!

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