James Alexander Holdcroft (a/k/a G-Paw) passed away at home on February 19, 2022. One of the few these days to die of natural causes.

He was conceived in England to Alex and Annie Holdcroft and born in America in 1924. He and his brother (Ken) and sister (Lily) were raised on a chicken farm in upstate New York. Work on the farm proved difficult for his parents, so he dropped out of school in the ninth grade to help, while learning hands-on construction, plumbing and electrical skills. As WWII broke out, he and his brother enlisted in the US Navy. He chose the Navy even though he couldn't swim. He didn't want to dig ditches. He was sent to England (how appropriate), was assigned to LCT-644 and invaded Omaha Beach in the ninth wave on D-Day 1944. Using his skills learned on the chicken farm, he was Electrician's Mate Second Class and kept the landing craft running during the invasion. He always said "it was good duty." He was the proudest sailor I ever knew.

Upon returning home, he married Jean Hughes who he met while roller skating in Olean. They soon headed west and put down roots in Worth, Illinois. Bob (1951-2008), Debi, Don, and Ruth were born to fill his heart and make his life interesting. While raising his family he owned and operated the Worth Cabinet Shop, building and installing kitchen cabinets. We learned a lot of survival tips hanging around the cabinet shop. In the meantime, he loved to travel, do family outings and look up old friends. We would ride in that big old car through the country roads and he would gun it over a hill so we would fly and giggle.

He retired and moved to Louisiana in the 90s and has lived with his daughter, Debi, and family ever since. After a few months, he was bored so I took him to Bossier Council on Aging where he attended daily for the next 25 years until Covid shut it down 2 years ago. A sad way to end friendships and lose contact with your friends.

He never wore a pair of brown polyester pants he didn't like. He was like the Energizer Bunny. Mr. Fix-It. Water skied in his 80s. He was the guy getting in the way of construction workers because he loved just watching things get built or repaired. A keen practical joker. Never met a stranger. Those of you in North Bossier, remember the old man riding around on the Segway? Yep. That was him. He loved Wheel of Fortune, Animal Planet and Survivor. Patented two products. Always wore his WWII cap. Deeply appreciated it when kind folks would buy his breakfast because he was a veteran. Bingo maniac. He bowled a few 300s back in the day. He so badly wanted to win Powerball to give to all his family and friends. Buy one in his memory.

The VA was our Godsend. They gave him everything he needed in his old age. So don't believe everything you read about the VA.

If you want to live 97 years, his secrets to longevity are to never stop moving, keep busy, be kind to everyone, don't hold grudges, eat a variety of everything, love your family and check on friends from the past.

He outlived multiple doctors and most of his family from his generation, but was loved till the end by his surviving son and 2 daughters, multiple grandkids and great-grandkids. We all affectionately called him G-Paw.

Only putting this out because I hear this is what you're supposed to do. Donations in his memory can be made to the Bossier Council on Aging Activities Fund (even though they don't know it yet)..

Should you wish to visit his final resting place, he has a "brick" in the sidewalk at the WWII Museum in New Orleans. It is located at Section: AHS 18,1, and says, James A. Holdcroft, US Navy LCT 644, Omaha Beach, D-Day.

As his son-in-law said, "he had a good run."

Love you Dad