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Biography
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John with sister Lewcile
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John was born at home on the 2nd of June, 1924 at 821 East 5th Street in Dallas, Texas. He was the youngest son of Ruby and Lewis Files Holland, growing up with five sisters and an older brother.
The Moore family who lived across the street from the Hollands had lost their home to fire leaving a vacant lot which the neighbor- hood children later used as a playground where they played softball and Red Rover. There were a dozen or so other kids who played with John and his siblings. The Holland family had a big back yard at their house where the kids put on plays for all of the parents to come and see. At night they played a game called “Piggy wants a signal.”
John’s sister, Adelaide Holland Holloway says of him, “Even though I was older than John, he was always looking after me like a "big brother." When our parents were gone and the kids got into an argument, Johnny was my protector, so to speak.”
John attended James Bowie Elementary School. A quotation taken from an autograph book signed upon graduation is very revealing! It reads: “God made the bushes, God made the trees. God made the girls for John to squeeze.” Later John went to school at W.H. Adamson High School. During Senior festivities, John met Ruby Dowd and they later married.
John was always horsing around; he was fun to be around. He always made sure everyone felt comfortable and that no one felt left out. He was also quite a dancer. John Holland never met a stranger. He loved people. He cared about what happened to them.
John graduated from high school in January of 1943, and in February, he was inducted into the 11th Airborne. Before “shipping out” overseas, John married Miss Ruby Dowd, also of Dallas.
During World War II, John served in the Pacific Theatre. He was part of an Honor Guard to welcome General MacArthur to Tokyo and then served as part of the Japan Occupation Forces. He, of course, also managed to play divisional baseball, football, and even boxed for a while.
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John Morgan Holland
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John in 6th Grade
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