Johnny Holden, a resident of Jacksonville for 97 years, died at home in the Emerald Bay Subdivision on Sunday, July 29 ^th .  He was 102 years old.  He was born in Bellville, Florida to Eliza Holden on September 25, 1915.

He leaves to cherish his memories:  his wife, Earlene, of 37 years; three stepsons:  Eddie Gilbert, Dwight Gilbert, and Troy Gilbert; two daughters Yvonne Harrison (Larry) of Jacksonville, Elaine McKinney (Hardie, Jr.) of Chicago, and one son, Johnny Leon of Seattle, Washington.  The latter three were born to his union with his first wife, Doris who preceded him in death; one sister, Essie Mae Holden (preceded him in death) from Jasper, Florida; three brother in-laws: Jerry Kendrick of Jacksonville, Daniel Kendrick and wife of Jacksonville, and Raymond Kendrick of Virginia; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Alonza Tyrone Holden, Sr. (Maxine) of Jacksonville; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends; and one life-long friend, Sollie Mitchell who is 100 years old.

He began elementary school in Miami-Dade County and completed elementary in Duval County.  He graduated in 1942 from Edward Waters College High School. In 1962, he received his B.S. degree from Edward Waters College with fifteen credit hours from Florida A & M University.  In 1960, he became a Charter Member of Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity at Edward Waters College.

His career of 40 years was completed for the Housing Authority of Jacksonville (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

One of his proudest accomplishments was the naming of "Johnny Holden's Pier" in the Reddie Point Preserve in North Arlington.