ARTHUR VAN HOLLAND

Arthur (Art) Van Holland passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 4, 2024 after a long illness. He was born February 16, 1939, in Rock Valley, Iowa to Moss and Evalina Van Holland. They moved to Bellflower, California in 1948 when Art was a child. Art found his passion for working on cars and racing as a teenager in Southern California. He joined the Navy after high school, serving on the USS Gudgeon, SS-567 in the Pacific Fleet. During his time in the Navy, he spent time in Japan and Hawaii.

Art married the love of his life, Clara Tjaarda, in 1962 and raised one son and three daughters together. Art learned the dairy business from the bottom up, working his way up to managing two dairies in Chino, California. 1979 Art moved his family to Jerome, Idaho to start a new dairy. He sold the dairy in 1986 and started a new career with Alta Genetics, working his way up to regional sales manager. He retired in 2009 at the age of 70.

Art worked hard to give his family the best life possible. He and his brother-in-law, Roy Tjaarda, bought a speed boat, made it go even faster and we all enjoyed family water skiing trips at Bass Lake, Lake Havasu, and Lake Elsinore. Art made sure all the nieces, nephews, and friends learned to water ski, especially going as fast as he could make them go. Art never lost his love of making engines go fast. In 2000, he joined his son Ray in Thunder Stocks racing, continuing on to Grand Nationals. He went on to join his good friend Kenny Vander Ham racing trucks. In total Art won four national championships, two with Ray and two with Kenny. 

Art started building his hot rod in 2001. He found a chassis in a farmer’s field and built it from there, fabricating many of the pieces himself. Over the next eight years, he worked on making the perfect car for himself. He finished just prior to a grand 70th birthday celebration for him and Clara in August 2009. 

Art was very proud of his grandchildren, making sure he spent time all with them as the years went on. He especially enjoyed their sporting events, attending as many games as possible, and always having an opinion. He was a great fan of Boise State football and one of his moments was seeing Boise State play in the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, AZ in 2010. His last sporting event was in September of this year, watching his grandson Jeremy, coach his great-grandson Wyatt in football. Being Art, he had plenty to say about it. 

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Moss and Evalina Van Holland, his brother-in-laws Aurie Dahline, and Bill Craig. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clara Van Holland, son, Ray (Pauline) Van Holland, daughters Lisa (Jim) Gifford, Cindy Van Holland, and Pam (Dave) Cryer. He is survived by his nine grandchildren, Clay Bentzinger, Tyler (Megan) Van Holland, Jeremy (Sarah) Gifford, Justin Gifford, Devan Van Holland, Jake (Melissa) Cryer, Taylor (Sole) Van Holland, Joshua Sutton, and Korbin Cryer. In addition, he is survived by 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He is also survived by two sisters, Leona Dahline and Meridith (Chick) Craig. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Jerome Country Club from 6:00 to 8:00.