Obituary of James W. Holman

James W. Holman Jr., a longtime Moberly businessman and community leader, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2016 at his home. Mr. Holman, 91, was born Nov. 13, 1924. Mr. Holman married Emmy Lou Tuggle, who survives. The couple celebrated 71 years of marriage on Dec. 26 last year. Also surviving are the couple’s three sons, Dean (Pam) of rural Moberly; David of Spokane, WA; and Dan (Karen) of St. Charles, MO, and daughter Mindy Miner (Jon) of Rockford, MI. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. Holman, a lifetime resident of the Moberly area, touched the lives of many young men by serving for many years as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 14. He received the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest award given to Scout leaders. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church and the Moberly Rotary Club. Additionally, he provided community service by serving as commissioner of the Randolph County Special Road District. Mr. Holman attended Westminster College in Fulton but was called to service in World War II before he could graduate. He was an ensign in the U.S. Navy. After the war, he returned to Moberly to assume operation of the laundry business that was founded by his grandfather, operated by his father and maintained by his widowed mother. Holman’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning was on the corner of Coates and Williams Streets, next door to the Monitor-Index. It later became known as Puritan Cleaners and eventually was sold to Midwest Linen Supply Co. Mr. Holman managed that industrial linens business, and his wife worked in the office until his retirement. He also served on the board of directors of City Bank. After retirement, he and his wife lived for several years at Thomas Hill Lake, where they entertained friends and family with boating, fishing and produce from their garden. Mr. Holman was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt and go on nature walks. He was a member of the Moberly Hunting and Fishing Club based in the Missouri River bottom lands near Dalton, MO. He also was a woodcarving hobbyist and carved neckerchief slides for his Boy Scout sons. He also was an accomplished saxophone player, who, during his youth played in a dance band and performed at many Moberly venues including the long-gone Showboat and Wayside Inn. In his 80s, Mr. Holman once again took up the saxophone to perform with community members at the bandstand in Tannehill Park. A memorial service celebrating James’ life will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home in Moberly, MO. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service. Condolences may be expressed online by “lighting a lantern” at www.pathwaymemorial.com. Pathway Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.