Timothy D. Holder

Timothy D. Holder, 83, attorney-at-law, died March 20, 2026. Born in Bronxville, NY, to Thornton F. Holder and Muriel Peirce (Johnson). He moved with his family to Painesville, then Chardon, OH at an early age.

Holder enjoyed sharing anecdotes about his life, like sailing with the Swedish Merchant Marines, and his time in the US Army, where he served as a Morse code intercept operator in Okinawa, and as an interpreter in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He also included stories about his student activism in Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

He attended Wesleyan University, graduated from The Ohio State University. After receiving a JD from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, he worked as a staff attorney for UAW-GM Legal Services Plan in Ohio.

His fondness for nature included birdwatching and gardening, especially growing tomatoes in a variety of sizes and colors.

He was very active in the community, particularly the Aurora Historical Society where he served as a trustee, life member, and president from 2008–10. He was also a member of the Aurora Landmark Commission for 10 years. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution as well as American Legion Clare Eggleston Post 803.

Holder is survived by Christine, his wife of 54 years; sons Nicholas of Washington, DC and his wife, Elizabeth (Pollock), granddaughters Ella and Adeline; son Patrick of Piedmont, CA and his wife, Kirsten (Johnson), grandchildren Finnian and Nora; brother Christopher (Kit) and sister-in-law Rebecca Holder, niece Molly, nephews Benjamin and Samuel; brother-in-law Joseph Patronik and sister-in-law Leslie, nieces Robin and and Wendy, nephew Andrew, plus grand-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Tim Holder will be held from noon to 3 pm, Sunday, May 24, 2026 at The Gallery, lower level, Aurora Memorial Library building, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH.

Donations can be made to the Aurora Historical Society and Museum, 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH 44202.