John G. ‘Jack’ Holden; Ventura Postal Official

John G. “Jack” Holden, former assistant postmaster at the downtown Ventura post office, died Sunday following a brief illness. He was 78.

Holden was born Sept. 14, 1918, in Bushland, Texas. When he was 17, his family moved to Ventura and joined the First Baptist Church. He was playing trombone with a band at the church when he met his future wife, Doris, who was a violinist.

“He said I winked at him from the stage,” Doris Holden said. “I was 14 at the time, so we went together for four years before we could be married.”

Holden served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service during World War II and spent 36 years working for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring as assistant postmaster. He served on the Ventura County Grand Jury from 1984-85. This led to work as an honorary investigator for the district attorney’s office, a position he kept until his death.

Holden remained a member of the First Baptist Church until his death and also was a lifelong member of the Ventura Kiwanas Club.

In addition to his wife, Holden is survived by daughter Louise Culver of Ventura; sons James and Bruce of Ventura; sister Doris Carmiencke of Ventura; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Ventura. Memorial contributions may be made to the church at 426 S. Mills Road, Ventura, 93003.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura.