Jackie Lee Holman, 81 years, 7 months, and 23 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on February 4, 2024, at Heart of the Ozarks surrounded by his family.
Jackie was born June 12, 1942, in Ava, Missouri near Whites Creek on the family farm to Dan Wesley and China Mae (Alcorn) Holman. Jackie was a lifetime resident of the Douglas County community.
On April 27, 1962, Jackie and Jearildene Mae Gunter were united in marriage and together were blessed with a daughter, Peggy Sue.
Jackie was a lifelong farmer having lived on the family farm his entire life. But he still enjoyed his daily trips to town, sometimes multiple times a day, in order to see the coffee shop crew.
He always had a second job, working at several gas stations over the years. It all started with Buell McAllister at the south end of town. He briefly owned the gas station where Signal is today. He then worked at the All Night Station for Leonard Owens until its closing. Finally, he went back to the south end of town working for Mike Davis, J.C. Hall and finally Max Murphy until its closing.
But Jack’s special love was driving the Ava School Bus #11. He especially loved the many children he watched grow over the years. He drove the school bus for 29 years which allowed him to drive multiple generations of families, and even his own grandchildren.
Jack was known by several names: Gas Station Jack, Bus Driver Jack, Fudd, and Knife Trader Jack. But his favorite and most beloved title was “Papaw” for his grandchildren and great granddaughters. His grandchildren, Lyndsey Reese and Nathan Porter, and his great granddaughters, Emmalynn and Blayse Reese, were the loves of his life. He will be greatly missed by all his family. Jackie was a believer in Jesus. Praise God for the hope of Heaven!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and China Holman, three brothers Bill Webb, Carl Webb, and James Holman; and sister, Lena Scurlock.
Jackie is survived by his wife, Jearildene Holman; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Jody Porter; two grandchildren, Lyndsey and Tim Reese, and Nathan Porter; two great granddaughters, Emmalynn and Blayse Reese; his sister, Virgia Stephens; many other family and friends.
Funeral services for Jackie will be Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial following in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service at 1:00 P.M. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Reese. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Huffman Cemetery.
