Canton- Jimmy G. Holford Sr. 87, of Canton, formerly of Rockford, Illinois, passed away at 2:32 AM on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at Red Oak Estates in Canton. He was born on December 27, 1937, in Hanna City, Illinois, a son of George and Beulah (Snider) Holford. He married Mary Kathryn Wilkins on September 29, 1962, in Louisville, Kentucky. She preceded him in death on November 29, 2002.
Also, preceding Jim in death were his parents.
Jim graduated from Canton High School, class of 1956, went on to establish a successful 42-year career as a barber, owning and operating the 11th Street Barber Shop in Rockford from 1960-2002. He served his country in the United States Army from 1962-1968 and served in Korea.
Jim was a man of simple habits and straightforward ways, but he could spin a tall tale with the best of them and loved a good martini with an anchovy stuffed olive. He enjoyed fishing, attending dog and horse racing with friends, and spending many summers at Jack the Horse lake in Minnesota, even having a grandson spend the entire summer with him before heading away to college. He loved attending hockey, baseball, and softball games of his grandchildren and was so incredibly proud of all his grandchildren. He loved his wife, Kathy, immensely and after her unexpected passing he welcomed his dog, Commodore, into his life for companionship. What followed was a bond that could only be described as extraordinary and they went everywhere together. While others may have seen Commodore as a noisy, smelly companion, Jim loved him until the very end.
Surviving are his children, Tina (James) Walker of Stillman Valley Illinois; Jimmy (Kathleen) Holford Jr. of Janesville, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Nicholas (Alyce) Walker, Nolan (Anna) Walker, Noel (Travis) Zieman, Jimmy (Michelle) Holford III, Sarah (Tom) Gimmer, eleven great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Aaliyah, Mackenzie, Niko, Parker, Ella, Avery, Nora, Mya, Malea, Keiko, Zeke, Madeline, William, and June; brother, Donald Holford, and sister, Bonnie Griggs, both of Canton.
Per Jimmy’s wishes, there will be no services, cremation rites will be accorded through Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory. Burial of ashes will take place at Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Princeton, Illinois at a later date. Memorials can be made to Red Oak Estates, 435 N 16th Ave, Canton, Illinois 61520. To leave online condolences please visit www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com