James Ted Holdeman

Funeral services for James Holdeman will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Family Life Church with Pastor Bill Morel officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #42. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 2007 at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home.James, lovingly referred to as Jim, Jimmy Ted, Grandpa Jim, or Ompa, passed away after a lengthy illness on Monday, April 16, 2007 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette. Jim was quietly defiant and cool headed in the face of many illnesses. He was determined to make himself better by following the doctors' orders, exercising, and breathing deeply. He never gave up his will to live. We were truly blessed with the past years we had with him and will forever be in awe of his determination and optimism. Jim was born to Ted and Trena (Wolf) Holdeman on January 8, 1937, in Gillette, Wyoming. He moved with his family into town from the family homestead, located south of Gillette, when he was three. He graduated from Campbell County High School in 1955. After graduation, he worked on various ranches in Wyoming and Montana. He was drafted into the Army in 1959. He was stationed in Germany and spent time in France, Holland, and England before being honorably discharged in 1962. While working for Ray Harvey in Biddle, Montana, he met and married Barbra Hunnel in 1961. They had three children Ted, Chris (Cheairs) and Roy. In 1984, he married Donna Lueck and they later divorced in 1995. He began working for Farmers Co-op in 1964 as a propane truck driver and later worked as manager of the grain elevator and a salesman. He joyfully retired in 1999. He was a member of Gillette Lodge AF and AM #28, Gillette York Rite, Gentian Chapter #23 Order of Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, American Legion Post #42, VVA Chapter #99, Eagles Lodge #2711 and Red Cross of Constantine. He enjoyed singing, dancing, playing guitar, camping, hunting, telling stories and jokes. His biggest enjoyment was spending time with friends and family. He always had colorful stories of his past escapades or that of his friends and family. James is survived by his three children: Ted Holedman, Chris Cheairs, and Roy Holdeman all of Gillette, Wyoming; his sisters: Ann Grant of Moorcroft, Wyoming, Janet (Bud) Clements of Gillette, Wyoming, and Carol Dorn of Moorcroft, Wyoming; two granddaughters: Marlee (Montgomery) Holdeman and Sawyer (Jaymes) Holdeman, of Gillette, Wyoming; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Catherine Study.Memorials and condolences may be sent in James's name in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.