Ripon Joseph Reed Holland September 9, 1949-June 18, 2026 Joseph Reed “Joe” Holland Jr. was born September 9, 1949, and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 18, 2026, after an eight-month battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis and lung cancer.
Joe was born in Modesto, California, and spent his early childhood in Sacramento and Placerville. His dad’s military career then took the family to Germany, Italy, and England. In 1965, at the age of 15 and following the sudden death of his father in England, the family returned to his mother’s home town of Ripon, where just two years later his mother passed away.
Joe attended Ripon Unified High School, graduating in 1967. He then attended Modesto Junior College, graduating in 1969. After that, Joe attended the University of California Davis graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He married Charlotte Verver of Ripon on December 23, 1969, and they spent 12 years living in Davis and Sacramento, California, before moving back to Ripon in 1982.
Joe retired at age 62 after a 40-year career as a traffic engineer and transportation planner. He began his career working with D. Jackson Faustman in Sacramento, then began his own consulting firm. He then worked for the City of Modesto for five years, and ended his career with 18 years as a partner at Dowling Associates in Oakland.
During retirement, Joe spent many hours with woodworking; designing, creating, and gifting his creations to many. He then began restoring vintage radios and updating them with Bluetooth capabilities. He joined the Central Valley Radio Club and especially enjoyed the weekly meetings and camaraderie working on radios with his buddies who affectionately called him the Club Genius. As with his woodworking, many vintage radios were gifted, having been rebuilt, refurbished, and with Bluetooth capabilities added.
Joe loved Jesus and faithfully followed him. A true gentleman, he was strong and principled, with a quiet integrity that guided every aspect of his life. Throughout his adult life, he served as a Youth Leader, Deacon and Elder at his church, and for years led Bible study groups. Joe loved deeply and was loved deeply by his family and friends. He is greatly missed.
Joe is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 56 years; his children, Laura (Mitch) Kahler, Bryan (Puanoni) Holland, of Ripon, and Marc (Lisa) Holland, of Sacramento; his 10 grandchildren and 1 greatgrandchild; his sister Julie (Bernie) Talbot, of Wilton; his sisters-in-law, Lynette Marble, Judy (Dennis) Vander Plaats, Lori (Bob) Van Nieuwenhuyzen, and Valerie Tavares and many nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Reed Sr. and Anne Harp Holland, hissister, Janie Holland, in-laws Jim and Cornelia Verver, bothersin-law Bill Marble and Manuel Tavares.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to help those in need to: Modesto Gospel Mission, PO Box 1203, Modesto, CA, 95353 or Gospel Center Rescue Mission, PO Box 816, Stockton, CA 95201.
Burial will be on Tuesday, June 30, 10:00 AM at the Ripon Cemetery, 320 N Stockton Ave. A celebration of Joe’s life will follow at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 305 Boesch Dr., Ripon, CA, where Joe was a member. The service will be livestreamed at https://www. riponfirstpres.org/
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, June 27, 2026
