James Franklin “Jay” Holland

James Franklin "Jay" Holland was born May 1, 1945, in Eminence, Missouri, the son of Richard Leland "Rod" and Mary Celestine (Brown) Holland. He departed this life on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at his home in Eminence, Missouri, at the age of 78. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rod and Mary; one brother, Bill, on December 5, 1993; and one brother-in-law, Virgil Chrisco, on August 13, 2021. Jay is survived by three sisters, Ann and husband, Daryol Butcher of Rolla, MO, Mildred and husband, Ray of Arnold, MO, and Linda Chrisco of Washington, MO; one sister-in-law, Nedra Holland of Dittmer, MO; two brothers, Larry of Eminence, MO, and Bob and wife, Sharon of West Plains, MO; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. He attended school in Eminence all 12 years of his education. His elementary years were in a rural School of Deweese Community, and later, Jay graduated with the class of 1962 from Eminence High School. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior early in life in the rural Deweese Community and followed the Lord in baptism. He served in the Armed Forces from 1969 to 1971 in the Army branch, with one tour of duty in Vietnam. He followed his dad and brothers, Bill and Larry, in the carpentry field and worked many years in the St. Louis area until his retirement.

Jay was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. He was still driving the roads till the week of his passing, just to enjoy seeing wildlife. He loved the Peck Ranch hunts each deer season, as well as the rabbit hunts with his dad, Andy, brothers, brothers-in-law, nephews, cousins, and friends all the time wearing his pistol. He also helped take care of his mom and dad in the early 1990s by cooking for them and taking care of household needs. Jay took up golf later in life, and it became a love of his until his death. He was a member at two different golf courses: Mountain View Municipal in Mountain View, Missouri, and Roy E. Beck course in Eminence, Missouri. Jay was still looking at drivers as late as Monday before his death on Thursday of the same week to see if he could find something to hit farther than his "old one." He loved his golfing buddies from Eminence, Mountain View, and surrounding towns. All it took for him to go play was a call from a Williams or other friends, and that became the most important thing to him at that moment.

He played in many golf tournaments and leagues with his friends over the years. You could tell those meant a great deal to him, as he had a full display of his memorabilia on his living room wall, along with those he kept of his family. He looked forward to the summers and being able to play the Lake of the Ozarks mini tour in June with his bud- dies from Waynesville (did this for eight years every Wednesday). Waynesville set the date on Wednesday for him so he could still play the leagues in Mountain View and Eminence. Golf was that absolute passion for him, but what he really "TRULY LOVED" were "ALL" of his nephews and nieces and the Eminence Redwings. He didn't miss very many of their games. You could see him standing by the door at a basketball game or standing by the outfield fence with a bottle of Diet Mtn. Dew in his hand. He always supported the kids and loved them BIG! Jay will be missed by those who knew him and will leave a void in his family that can't be filled!! He was everywhere and every- thing to his family. There will be a private family Celebration of Life later this spring at Munsell Cemetery, Eminence, Missouri, where he so diligently gave of his time and labor the past few years. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com