James W. "Jimmie" Holden Jr.'s Obituary
James W. “Jimmie” Holden, Jr., age 75, of Covington, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024. He was born on November 7, 1948, in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. “Pete” Holden, Sr. and Aurjay Levernge; sister, Linda Payne; and many close friends and extended family members.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Laura Mooney Holden; children, Jeannie Holden Taylor, her husband Stephen, and James W. “Jimmy” Holden, III; grandchildren, Scarlett Taylor Reister, her husband Ryan, Savannah Taylor Williams, her husband Luke, and Stephen Matthew Taylor; great-grandchildren, Ryan James Reister, Holden James Williams, and a third great-grandchild on the way; step-mother, Jane B. Holden; three brothers; and three sisters. He is also survived by his current and former employees at Holden’s Wrecker Service and many extended family members and friends.
Mr. Jimmie was a proud lifetime resident of Covington, Louisiana. He graduated from Covington High School in the class of 1966 where he played offensive and defensive line and wore #72 for the Fighting Lions Football Team. He began working for the family business as a young boy at Holden’s Texaco Station on Boston Street. He and his father, Pete Holden, opened Holden’s Gulf Station on Boston Street in the early 1970s before relocating to the current location of Holden’s Wrecker Service on Collins Boulevard in 1990, where Mr. Jimmie could be found sitting behind his desk nearly every day until his health declined. He was well known and respected in the towing industry as a founding member of the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Louisiana, where he served as president, vice president, treasurer, and board member over the years. He also served on the board of Water District 2 and was currently serving as a board member of Fire District 12. A pillar in the community, Mr. Jimmie was always willing to help someone in need and to support fellow community members in their endeavors.
On Friday nights in the fall, Mr. Jimmie could be found on a golf cart on the track at Jack Salter Stadium cheering on the Fighting Lions. He was the longtime president of the Covington High School Athletic Association.
He loved his family and enjoyed sharing family meals together frequently as well as going on family trips, particularly to Walt Disney World. He was a loving husband, father, “Popa”, father figure, and friend to many, and he will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and community.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Holden may be made to the Covington High School Athletic Department at 73030 Lion Drive, Covington, Louisiana, 70433, or to the Covington Louisiana Actors Playhouse System (CLAPS) at Post Office Box 1353, Covington, Louisiana, 70434. For more information regarding donations to the Covington High School Athletic Department, you may contact Coach Kenny Schenck at (985) 892-3422. For more information regarding donations to CLAPS, you may contact Gary Mendoza at [email protected] or (985) 351-1156.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 12:00 PM at the Chapel at First Baptist Church of Covington, 16054 Murphy Road, Covington, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, 2280 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, locally owned and operated, is honored to be entrusted with Mr. Holden’s funeral arrangements. His family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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