Obituary
On 12-18-25 James Holehouse was suddenly taken from this world to spend eternity with God. The oldest of nine children, Coshocton, Ohio nurtured Jim in the beautiful rolling hills of east central Ohio. Jim led the Coshocton population increase followed by John Holehouse; Marie Holehouse (Peter) Madsen; Joseph (Rhonda) Holehouse; Edward Holehouse (deceased); Robert (Lorna) Holehouse; Geri Ann Holehouse (Lee) Strange; Thomas (Donna) Holehouse; and William (Elaine) Holehouse. The genesis of his personality began to unfurl when he was in kindergarten. After witnessing the flourishing plant development from seeds at school, he sought to replicate the miracle at home. Jim and his mechanical engineer dad first developed organic fertilizer to enhance the corn growing process. In the shroud of dark night, Dad and “Uncle” Fred Bachman planted live, mature cornstalks into that organic fertilizer garden space. The next morning when encouraged to assess the corn growth, he was astounded by the impact of his miraculously effective fertilizer! Kindergarten also germinated another vital life form in Jim as large rolls of paper and paints became the seed that brought to fruition brilliant color and form upon his painted paper.
Jim excelled in academics, earned the esteemed Eagle Boy Scout award, and held several jobs such as lifeguarding at Coshocton Lake Park and delivering appliances for a local vendor. Jim’s high school art instructor Mr. Vincent perceptively offered the blossoming artist project ideas, then stepped back and smiled as he witnessed the unfurling of Jim’s impressive art portfolio.
Initially mechanical engineering enticed Jim to study at the University of Cincinnati. However, the grueling Ohio winters helped Jim embrace a vision of sunshine, palm covered beaches, and tropical breezes (not hurricanes) … The time had come to leave the Midwest behind. Jim traveled to embrace and portray the immense beauty of this planet’s nature and the unique architecture of different countries. Relocating to south Florida, he attended the Gold Coast Sailing School, and after refurbishing a schooner, he taught sailing. Simultaneously he chartered trips to the Caribbean and South America, where he also was a certified scuba diving instructor. Parachute jumping, mountain bicycling, and kayaking rounded out his thrill-seeking activities. The breadth of his international travel activities flavored his artwork with eye-catching dynamic movement, and brilliantly hued watercolor paintings of magnificent size and impact.
By 1976, Jim and his brothers John and Tom had founded Tropic Art Design in Orlando, Florida, handling all publishing, distribution, framing, and shipping Jim’s originals and prints to a worldwide market. Jim has received numerous recognition awards for his work and has donated many paintings for worthy causes. Disney World, Sea World, and his own art gallery have attracted many art connoisseurs over the past 50 years. Hotels, restaurants, legal, medical, and business offices, along with country-wide art festivals have helped people utilize the decorative enhancement of Jim’s watercolor paintings. Even MacDill Air Force Base in Florida capitalized on Jim’s exemplary portrayal of their dynamic flight history at their conference headquarters. Jim has embraced a life encapsulated in all kinds of adventure and challenges; and Jim’s deeply cherished friend Kristen Mullen helped ease Jim into his new studio setting to create eternal art projects for God.
Jim also loved all of his nieces and nephews: Michael (Beth Geatches) Madsen and Matthew (Lydia) Madsen; Tom (Michelle) Sawyer; Christopher Holehouse (deceased), Seth (Kate) Holehouse and Jayna Holehouse; Allison Holehouse (Chris) Weisgarber, Paige Holehouse and Jenna Holehouse; Jamie Holehouse; and James (Selena) Strange; and great nieces and nephews Emory, Elliott, Avery, June, Grace, Grace Ann, Theodore and Chase.
A family gathering will be held honoring the life of Jim in FL on 17th, January, ’26.
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