John David Lindholm

LINDHOLM, JOHN DAVID

John David Lindholm, 82, died peacefully on Saturday, May 6, at Hospice Atlanta surrounded by his loving family.  David was the first of three children born to William Oscar and Sue Carey Lindholm.  He was born in Charleston, SC in the same room in the same hospital in which his mother had been born.  As a child, David lived in Atlanta where he attended R.L. Hope Elementary School and Fritz Orr Sports Camp prior to moving to Burlingame, CA and Tenafly, NJ.   Over the years, he moved many more times but ultimately returned to Atlanta where he has lived with his wife, Patricia Garrison Lindholm, for the last 30 years.  David was a loving and caring son, husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor, advisor, and friend.  Interestingly, after a first meeting, no one was a stranger to David.  He had a genuine interest in everyone he met; he would ask questions, and listen attentively to the answers.  It was not curiosity but a desire to know, understand, and learn from those he encountered.  He would not only remember their names, he would remember factual information they shared with him.  During subsequent meetings he would inquire about people’s family, careers, and sometimes their aches and pains.  Those who knew and loved David will miss his optimism, intelligence, advice, smile, and chuckle among many other endearing characteristics.  David was a lifelong learner and took advantage of any opportunity to further his acquisition of knowledge.  He loved to travel and was fortunate to have had many opportunities to see the world for business and for pleasure.  In 1956, David graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in mathematics from the University of the South, Sewanee, TN and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge University, England.  Upon his return to the United States he graduated in 1959 with an MBA from Harvard Business School.  He then completed army basic training and six months active duty at Ft. Dix, NJ before beginning his long corporate career.  Much later, in 1992 as the oldest member of his class, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University School of Law.  David’s long corporate career included executive positions with R. J. Reynolds Industries, Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Columbus Mills and 17 years as Vice President of Finance of Blue Bird Body Company, an international manufacturer of school buses and motor homes in Fort Valley, GA.  He traveled to Canada, Guatemala, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and other places where Blue Bird conducted business.

Wherever David was, he was an active member and participant in a variety of professional, community, and social groups serving on community association boards and church committees and teaching Dale Carnegie courses. In 1980, he participated in Leadership Georgia, a program for business and professional leaders throughout Georgia, and in 1982 he joined the Society of International Business Fellows, a program for executives with interests in international business.  He had been a member of Piedmont’s cardiac rehab program since 2000 where he formed many close friendships with staff and fellow participants, many of whom meet for breakfast once a month  after their Heart Strong class.   He was a longtime active member of the Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta, and within his last five years, he served a term on the board.  He continued his work as class agent for his HBS Section C and Sewanee alumni groups planning and attending his 6oth Sewanee college reunion last November.  He also remained actively involved with committees and classes at St. Anne’s Church ushering at the 8:00 service and enjoying lunch regularly with his ROMEO friends. The eternal optimist, David always said that he had lived a very lucky life.  In spite of his love for and involvement in a variety of sports, he faced several medical hurdles that have challenged modern medicine.   On Friday, April 13, l984, he suffered an aortic dissection.  His family was notified to come prepared for a funeral, saying that he had a 2% chance of surviving the surgery and then a 5% chance of surviving the next 24 hours.  However, his doctors at the Macon Medical Center and the prayers of those who loved him pulled him through.  Although his near-death experience left him with a multitude of medical challenges that continued until his death thirty-three years later, he met each one with optimism and resolve. His family will be forever grateful for the excellent care David received from teams of Piedmont doctors, nurses, and other staff who rose to each emergency with skill and concern.  David was devoted to his large family and particularly to his daughters in Florida.  He supported their activities and endeavors and was a phone call away between their visits together.   He was always available to family or friend.  Being honest, dependable, and having a strong work ethic combined with the ability to love unconditionally with a calm demeanor and a kind spirit kept him “in demand” throughout his life, and he accepted the role gladly.  “Happiness is being married to your best friend” is a true statement of David and Pat’s marriage of 30 years which was exciting and joyful.  Those years were filled with world-wide travel adventures as well as their famous regular and frequent  road trips to Virginia and Florida with the car overflowing with “stuff”  for fun and/or caring for family members in need.  Just being together was the best part.  In addition to his wife, Pat, David is survived by his daughters, Judy Anne Lindholm and Mary Catherine Lindholm-Gunter (Bruce);   grandchildren, Brittany Michelle Cassidy and Bradley Alexander Cassidy; great-granddaughter Ella Michelle Cassidy; brother Bill(Ursula) Lindholm;  sister Sue Carey Lindholm; nephews Billy Lindholm and Gregory de Torony; nieces Karen McAninley  and Sue Carey Dean; grand nephews Liam McAninley, Braden Dean, and  Austin Dean who prayed for Uncle David’s heart every night.  He is further survived by brother-in-law Alvin(Alexa) Garrison and their families, four stepchildren including Molly Plummer and Robert (Beth) Plummer, Robert II, Matthew, and Chloe who remained particularly close and special throughout the years.  A host of other dear cousins and their families also survive.  A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, May 27 at 2:00 PM at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA with a reception to follow in the parish hall.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Hospice Atlanta or to another charity of your choice.