James Charles "Casey" Holden

– James Charles "Casey" Holden passed away Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, of heart problems after a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Casey was born in Missoula on April 13, 1973. He attended Target Range Elementary and Loyola Sacred Heart High School. During those years he was very active, excelling in academics and athletics. He played Little League and American Legion baseball, basketball, and was a tenacious cross country runner. His determination to be successful was where he had his greatest impact. His competitive spirit and loyalty to his team allowed everyone to reach their full potential. This same effort to succeed was evident in his school work as well.

After high school he attended the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota with the help of scholarships he had earned. While there he ran cross country and even had a short stint on the rowing crew. After receiving his B.A. degree he went on to teach English, coach the cross country team and assist with the basketball program at The Academy of Holy Angels High School in Minneapolis. Due to his outstanding coaching efforts, his cross country teams competed at the state level.

He was successful in his time there but he wanted to return to the Northwest and came back home to Missoula for a brief time.

He then joined the U.S. Navy, earning Top Cadet Honors at both the Recruit Training Command Great Lakes and at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. This earned him his choice of duty and he came back to the Northwest again and was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Ohio out of Bangor, Washington. While serving he was awarded two Commendations as he was involved with helping the submarine service convert their navigation system from paper charts to an all digital process. The Ohio was the first to do so.

Following his Honorable Discharge he stayed in the Seattle area where he earned his master's degree in educational administration from Seattle University. He was substitute teaching in the Edmonds, Bellevue and Shoreline School District at his passing.

It was in Seattle in October of 2010, where he met his soul mate, his true love, and "date for life" Erika Isaacs. He was a big kid at heart and his laughter and practical jokes would lighten the mood when needed. Casey fought for the underdog and would make sure everyone was treated fairly. He had high goals for himself and others and would offer his support along the way. He also found a solid friend in Nate Stehlik, with whom he lived for several years.

Casey was a sports enthusiast, always rooting for his Duke Blue Devils, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys, and the Boston Celtics. He was a wiz when it came to sports trivia, and our annual Trivial Pursuit game was always competitive yet filled with laughter. Most often he was gracious in victory and humble in defeat, as hard as that could be.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Catherine Murrish, Charles and Nora Holden and his uncle Bob Holden.

He is survived by his parents David and Katharine; his brother Michael Todd (Jackie Schrempp); his sister Meredith Pickett her husband Matt and their daughter Olivia; uncles, Steve (Diane) Holden, and Jerry (Lydia) Murrish and aunt Margaret Erickson; his girlfriend Erika Isaacs, as well as numerous cousins and their children.

May there always be work for your hands to do

May your purse always hold a coin or two

May the sun always shine on your window pane

May a rainbow be a curtain to follow each rain

May the hand of a friend always be near you

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you — Mom

He will be missed by his friends and family. He could always be counted on to supply some levity. His wit, even though sometimes barbed, was always used with class. We are grateful for the time we were able to have with him. The void that's left by his passing will never be filled.

We loved him so much and suddenly he is gone.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Loyola Sacred Heart Foundation, 300 Edith St., Missoula, MT 59801 where a scholarship has been established in his name.

Services will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church, 420 W. Pine St. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 10:30 a.m with a reception following. Burial will take place with Military Honors at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery, 1911 Tower St., following the reception
Read James Holden's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.