J.D. Davis Entrepreneurship Endowed Scholarship

The J.D. Davis Entrepreneurship Endowed Scholarship was started by the Don and Julie Holden Foundation established in Fredericksburg, Texas. Donald L. “Don” Holden and Jewell J. “Julie” Holden were both born and raised in Ft Worth, Texas but their paths did not cross until Julie was a junior in high school. Julie was a student in the English class that Don’s older brother taught in the high school where they had attended. Quite by chance, Don met Julie through this association, and they subsequently married. After serving his country and many years in the car business the Holden’s purchased the 6,500-acre H-Bar-2 Ranch in Luckenbach, Texas where they eventually retired. Here they met J.D. and Vicki Davis. Don and J.D. were attracted by their common independent nature and love of the outdoors. The Davis and Holden families remained dearest of friends for three decades while J.D. and Vicki raised their two sons, Bart and Brad in Huntsville, Texas. J.D. attended Sam Houston State University (SHSU) where he graduated in 1972 with an accounting degree. Throughout his years in Huntsville, J.D. owned and operated several different businesses, he also believed in giving back to this community where he served on multiple committees. In 1990 and having no children, Don and Julie decided to leave their estate to the Don and Julie Holden Foundation (“DJHF”) which was originally formed in 1954. They asked J.D. to join them on the Board and assist with planning the future of the foundation. The next decade was spent organizing the foundation. In later years, J.D.’s son, Bart, also joined the board.