It is with great sadness that the family of John Holmquist shares his passing on April 18, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida.

John was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, the younger brother to three older sisters. He attended Duke University, where he met his wife, Beth, at the very beginning of freshman year - a meeting that led to 54 years of marriage. He later earned his law degree from Emory University, after which he and Beth moved to Birmingham, Michigan, where they raised their daughters and built a life together over the next 40 years. In retirement, they moved to The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Georgia, where they spent the past decade forming close friendships and being active members of the community. They had recently moved to a new neighborhood near Jacksonville, Florida.

John will be remembered for his steady presence, his great sense of humor, and his deep love for his family. He especially loved spending time in Northern Michigan, where his family returned every summer and maintained a home for many years. He found joy on the water, sailing, boating, and kayaking, and in quieter moments, like sitting on the deck overlooking Walloon Lake with his morning cup of coffee, often in the company of the family dogs, who made it pretty clear he was their favorite person.

Sports were a constant throughout his life, from playing football and swimming in his youth to rugby at Duke and hockey into his thirties. He remained a lifelong Cubs fan, a Detroit sports enthusiast and, in recent years, a regular attendee of Savannah Ghost Pirates hockey games. He was also an avid collector of sports memorabilia, and last year was featured on Antiques Roadshow with a Hank Aaron piece from his collection. Above all, he was a devoted Duke basketball fan, something anyone who knew him could tell you. He was equally known for his love of Jimmy Buffett, 1960s music, and his impressive knowledge of music trivia.

He built a distinguished 40-year career as a labor and employment attorney representing employers in the transportation industry. Throughout his career, he was respected for his expertise and professionalism and was recognized by his peers for his contributions to the field.

John was deeply committed to giving back, serving on the boards of organizations dedicated to bringing comfort and joy to children undergoing cancer treatment—first Caps for Kids and then The Bottomless Toy Chest. He also served The Landings Association as a board member, including two years as Association President, focusing on long-term planning, infrastructure, water conservation, and financial stewardship in support of the community he loved. His service reflected a genuine desire to make life a little brighter for others.

John is survived by his wife, Beth Holmquist; daughters Kristin Holmquist and Karen Holmquist; his sisters, Joan Smith and Julia Bergren; and his nieces and nephew, Dana Brimmer, Julie Randall, Kristin Pichler, Ethan Knight, and Ann-Britt Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, C. John and Beth W. Holmquist, and his sister, Jill Jones.

A memorial service and reception will be held Thursday, May 28th at 11:00 am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to The Bottomless Toy Chest in John’s honor or send a check to The Bottomless Toy Chest, P.O. Box 623, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303.