James Bartley Holder III was born in Monticello, Arkansas, in 1936, in the Mack Wilson Hospital which was the northern section of this very church. The operating room was above the driveway. For most of his later youth, he lived in the house north of this church.
He was the son and grandson of practicing country doctors in Monticello and followed them on country house calls and the hospital and quickly decided he wished to be a physician as well. He started early as an occasional surgical assistant and observer, early enough he sometimes needed a stool.
His grandfather became his father during WW2 while his father served in the Army. Both their influence was great. From his mother he learned compassion and poise under pressure, appreciation for the arts, and beauty in life. In childhood he began his love of photography and music.
He was also a merry prankster which earned him a night in jail after setting off fireworks on the town square. The police called his father who told them he was occupied and would pick him up in the morning. He carried this into college where putting cows into the administration buildings was just one of his pranks.
Jim was very social and loved to be with other people. He was a great storyteller and didn't mind repeating his favorite stories.
After medical school at Tulane, he joined the the Navy where he served as an intern in San Diego. Later, he joined an elite crew selected for service in the nuclear submarine fleet on the USS James Madison, the lead of that submarine ballistic missile class during the cold war, accepted after a personal interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover, the ''father of the nuclear Navy.'' Jim served his submarine time 6 months under water and 6 months leave which he spent touring Europe on his Triumph motorbike as their headquarters was Rhoda, Spain. He spent considerable time playing cards and was always proud of his wins over the submarine commander and other officers.
He served on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in the war zone in the Viet Nam war and is a Viet Nam veteran.
He loved to give his opinion. Toward the end of his Navy career, he received a 6-month assignment to Guam which is part of Japan. He was thrilled and studied samurai and Japanese culture and the Japanese language for months. Two weeks before leaving he gave an opinion to a superior officer and that is how Jim ended up not in Japan, but 6 months on an icebreaker in the frozen Bering Sea north of Alaska.
Jim worked for the Veterans Administration over 15 years and for the Public Health Service on the Navajo reservation for the last 3 years of his professional life. He always had time for his patients stories and was much appreciated.
He had an obsessive side and during his life spent considerable energy on golf, fishing, short wave radio, trains, and traveling the USA while maintaining contact with his network of buddies in the train and radio world. Jim loved and enjoyed life and it was reciprocated.
But above all Jim was a family man. He loved his family and had deep reverence for our ancestors and loved to study and teach the family history. Space does not allow naming all his family members, but each was special and dear.
If they are playing cards in heaven, there is a new sheriff in town. But, either way, Jim will be a most welcome addition.
Jim is predeceased by his sister, Jane Cross, and survived by his wife, Charleen Savoie Holder of Taos, NM, son John Roddey Holder of Rock Hill, SC, brother John Holder of Bellevue, WA, sister Julia Holder of Lafayette, LA., nephew Clay Cross of Franklin, TN, and nephews and nieces:
Samantha Cross of Little Rock, AR; Clay Cross of Franklin, TN; Marion Holder of Kirkland, WA; Ashley Sagrera of Lafayette, LA; Katherine Ledson of Portland, OR, and Matt Williams of New Orleans, LA
Condolences(8)
Pat Matthews
Maumelle, AR Thursday, March 16, 2023 My late husband, Tommy Matthews, and his tennis buddy, Dr Charles Dicken, were members of the Monticello High Class of 1954 with Jim. They often spoke of Jim. They both remembered how smart he was and what a prankster he was.Kay Worbington
Monticello, AR Thursday, March 16, 2023 Dear Family, You have my condolences at this sad time. I never met Dr. Jim Holder, as he was already in college or med school by the time baby sister Julia & I became friends. Dr. J.B. II delivered me in Mack Wilson Hospital. When I was young, Mother would take me to his office and I would see the big individual pictures of Jim, Jame, John and Julia on his office wall. I am thankful for Dr. Jim's service to our country and as a medical doctor. His obituary shows that he had a most amazing and productive life. You all have my prayers of comfort.Cheryl Stelly
Church Point, LA Thursday, March 16, 2023 My deepest condolences to Charleen, Julia, Ashley and Samantha that I had the pleasure of taking care of Jim! I regret that I never got to meet John Roddy, Clay and John Trimble! I just want y’all to know I loved him so much as the more time I was blessed to know him in his last months! He was such a sweetheart to me! He is sadly missed and never did I expect that text that morning at 7 am. God gives us the strength to go on knowing there’s more wonderful people needing to be loved and pampered during there last days! I know Jim is in heaven because he told me he had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior! Praise be to God!Cheryl Stelly
Church Point, LA Thursday, March 16, 2023 My deepest condolences to Charleen, Julia, Ashley and Samantha that I had the pleasure of taking care of Jim! I regret that I never got to meet John Roddy, Clay and John Trimble! I just want y’all to know I loved him so much as the more time I was blessed to know him in his last months! He was such a sweetheart to me! He is sadly missed and never did I expect that text that morning at 7 am. God gives us the strength to go on knowing there’s more wonderful people needing to be loved and pampered during there last days! I know Jim is in heaven because he told me he had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior! Praise be to God!Jim Ross
Monticello, AR Monday, March 13, 2023 So thankful that Jim was my Mentor at Hendrix CollegeHe made a real difference in the lives of many of us and will be truly missed
Betty Adcock Boring
Euless, TX Monday, March 13, 2023 On behalf of the 1954 MHS graduating class we send our deepest sympathy to our classmates family.Sam and Marie Berry
Belle Rose, LA Monday, March 13, 2023 May Jim rest in peace. We will miss him; his love to play games, his interesting conversations, his help with medical issues and his willingness to participate with and enjoy family life!Jane Jo Cockrell Summerford
Monticello, AR Sunday, March 12, 2023 Julia, Clay, and Samantha, I am so sorry for your loss. Love, hugs, and prayers.