James H. Holwager

No matter where Jamey was, the room would light up when he entered. In High School, Jamey never met a stranger and was the life of the party. The first half of his high school year, he was in Fayetteville, North Carolina and was voted School Mascot for the football season. He loved entertaining on the side lines! He was known as "Wild Child" in school and for his first and second tattoos he used the phrases "Forever Wild' and "Mr. Excitement". After graduation from Baker High School, he joined the Airforce. He got the opportunity to repeat Basic Training because of his Wild Child nature and terrible rule following. He drove 18 wheelers in Saudi Arabia carrying bombs during Operation Desert Storm and was able to do some traveling. He was a very proud Veteran! After his service, he earned an Associate's Degree from ITI in P-TEC and was Valedictorian of his class. It was only after he completed his courses that he realized that he did not like heights, so driving a forklift at Georgia Pacific was his position. He found his calling when he got into the Casino Business at Harrah's New Orleans, L'Auberge, Hollywood and The Belle in Baton Rouge as a Dealer and later a Pit Boss. He loved talking and joking with the Patrons and actually liked working the late shifts. His mad Math skills made it easy for him and loved it when it was "Show Time".

Jamey was an avid reader and really enjoyed Fantasy Novels. His daughter, Lauren, picked up that love for books and currently enjoys working at a Book Store.

He Loved his music and went to as many concerts as possible (I heard it was over 100). Hard Rock was his favorite and he was able to attend a few with his son, Tristan. The last concert that he went to was his all time greatest- KISS, and he enjoyed that one with his brother, Adam. He knew his music backwards and forwards. If you were riding in the car with him, he would quiz you on who the artist was and what the song was before the singing began. He would have won millions on "Name that Tune".

Jamey was an amazing Pool Player and would beat anyone-except when he was feeling sorry for his wife, Margaret. Every once in a while, he would give her the sympathy win.

He loved all of his animals thru his life. He is leaving behind the 2 that he and Margaret adopted together and a bonus kitty. Gypsy, Louie and Sassy will miss their Daddy loving.

If the TV was on in the house, it was ESPN and on volume 50. He knew everything about everyone- who got traded, why, where, how much and if that trade was a good idea. The stats that he knew were amazing! He enjoyed watching LSU Football and an occasional Baseball game, thanks to Prissy and Donnie for those awesome tickets. The Cowboys were his favorite Pro Team and had been since he was a teenager. When asked about why Dallas? He said they had the hottest cheerleaders! Every Sunday during football season, he and Margaret would spend the day watching, no matter who was playing.

Jamey loved his family so much and spent as much time with them as possible. If he wasn't working, he would be at every gathering from Birthday Parties to Mother's Day and all in between. His mom, Lucy, was so loved by him. They did so many things together from grocery shopping and cooking together to watching movies and eating out. He even told her that one day, she would move in with him: that his home would be her home. Lucy was there from his first breath to his last and was the very best mom anyone could ask for.

A visitation for Jamey will be held on Wednesday, April 5, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East (11000 Florida Blvd) from 10 am until celebration of life service at noon. Interment will follow at LA National Cemetery. In Jamey's honor, please wear your favorite band t-shirt to the service.

Jamey is survived by his wife, Margaret Conachen Turner of Baton Rouge, LA; daughter, Lauren Holwager of Dallas, TX; son, Tristan Holwager of Denham Springs, LA; bonus son, Cole Watts; mother, Lucille Holwager of Denham Springs, LA; brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Jennifer Holwager of Denham Springs, LA and their children, Patrick, Preston and Angelina; aunt and uncle, Prissy and Donnie Breaux of Denham Springs, LA; special cousin and his wife, Jerry Rayborn and Lori of Florida, and their children, Ashley and Alexis; stepchildren, Brandon Turner of Ethel, LA and Baylie Lemoine and husband Austen of Denham Springs, LA; in-laws, Joe and Barbara Conachen of Baton Rouge, LA; and numerous cousins

He was preceded in death by his father, James Holwager, Sr; grandmother, Patsy Monte (Ma Pat); grandfathers, Henry Givens and Buddy Monte; uncle, Walter Givens; and cousin, Thomas Givens.

We would like to Thank St. Joseph Hospice and the Carpenter House for the love that they showed and Davita Dialysis. Also, all of the Doctors and nurses that were a part of his Journey from Lady of the Lake Hospital, Baton Rouge General Bluebonnet, Oschner Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Tulane of New Orleans and the VA.