Jimmy Bryant Holley was born on September 24, 1943 in Sledge, Mississippi. His father, a farm manager, moved the family to Dumas, Arkansas when Jim was nine years old. Jim’s formative years concluded with a venture into the U.S. Army, where, while stationed in Germany, he drove a military transport truck. That experience became the precursor to Jim’s career as a truck driver for various companies and corporations, from which he retired in 2013.
Jim had an engaging personality, full of Southern charm and wit. Likewise, he never met a stranger. Jim was also known for having a saying and a come-back for everything, catchy phrases and country-boy wisdoms that became an endearing quality to all who knew him. His knowing, signature wink said in an instant, “it’s all good.” He truly felt that his friends were the measure of his wealth, and so Jim considered himself a wealthy man. He was loved; he was loved; he was loved!
Jim and Paula started their lives together in Dumas in 1998, and they settled together in Joshua, Texas in 2008 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In their 21 years together, he loved her and her children and grandchildren as if they were his own.
In April of 2019, Jim began his courageous battle with cancer, a battle in which he fought valiantly until finally reaching for God’s gentle hand on July 11.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, A.B. Holley and Bessie Lewellyn Holley; brother James Monroe Holley; sisters, Clara Lempart, Ruby Jenkins, Grace Mills, and Patricia Mizell; first wife, Martha Reta Holley and her daughter, Alys Jolley Fox.
Jim is survived by his wife, Paula Matranga Holley; sister, Nita-James Threadgill; brother-in-law, Dale Mizell; children, Perry-Stefanie Myatt, Denise Leeming, Christina-Dr. Jeff Herr; grandchildren, Sydne-Joel Landingham, Emily, Emerson, Kyle, Isabella, Jack, Redding, Vadin, Garrison, Porter; great grandchild, Linus; nephews, Greg, Mike, John, and Mark; niece, Jan. He was known lovingly and truly as Grandpa, Grandpa Jim, and GPJ.
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