James (Jim) Otto Holzem

Former Edinburg resident James (Jim) Otto Holzem, 97, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 27, 2021.

Jim was born in Chicago to Otto and Marion Holzem.  He served as a combat paratrooper in the 11th Airborne in World War II.   He saw action in the Philippines and was one of 123 paratroopers who jumped on Los Banos Prison Camp and rescued over 2,000 internees.  After the war, he studied architecture at Rice University and received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.  He and his wife Ivy moved to Edinburg, where he started Holzem Construction Company and built over 1,600 homes and commercial buildings.

He served as president of Ebony Hills Country Club, president of the Homebuilders of the Rio Grande Valley, member of the Edinburg Planning and Zoning Board, member of the Community Development Council, the Model Cities Board, president of the Board of Realtors and consultant for the Edinburg Housing Authority.

In 2009, he moved to Dallas where he was active in World War II Roundtable and other veteran groups. 

Jim loved gardening and at one time had over 30 varieties of banana trees.  He also loved golfing, reading and playing cards and other games with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ivy Holzem and siblings Ted Holzem and Betty Woodard.  He is survived by his children,  Debbie Summers (Gary), Diane “Louie” Peeler (Tom), Jay Holzem Jr., and Marianne Grammer.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren, Grady Summers (Cori), Krista Singleton (Matt), Katie Crews (Nathan), Rebecca Gorman, Elisabeth Gorman, Natalie Holzem, Laine Holzem, James Holzem III, Erin Coleman (Kevin), and Landon Grammer, and by 15 great grandchildren.

Jim's funeral will be at Spring Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery in Iredell at 11 a.m. on December 11.