James Monroe Holton

James Monroe "Jimmie" Holton passed on August 28, 2013 at the age of 92.

Jimmie was born June 9, 1921, the 7th and last surviving child of Wilford Hall and Katie Lorena Holton. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings, Harvey Bynum Holton, Lester Duval Holton, Mabel Earl Holton, Grace Annis Holton, Gladys Vernon Holton, Bernice Hall Holton, William Jennings Holton and Kathleen June Holton. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mavis Gupton Holton, and daughters, Susan Jane Holton (Earl Pulliam), Nan Elizabeth Holton and Carol Grace Holton (Rodney Sweat), and Eleanor Holton McIntyre, and grandchildren, Samuel Holton Lee, James Dennin Lunaas, Megan Randall Lunaas, Patrick Thomas Almquist, Maris Kathleen Almquist, Susan and John McIntyre, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

As a young man, Jimmie worked for the telephone company in Norfolk, Virginia where he lived with his sister, Gladys. During that time, he and his nephews bunked together in the attic of Gladys' home. At some point, he also lived with his sister, Kathleen, in Raleigh, North Carolina where he worked at Uncle Bob's gas station.

When World War II broke out, Jimmie enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served in Beaufort and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and also in Norfolk, Virginia. After he returned home to Olympia in Pamlico County, he worked civil service at USMC Station Cherry Point and farmed, raising soybeans, corn, pigs, cows and chickens. By trade, Jimmie was an electrician and helped friends, family and neighbors with their electrical needs. After he retired from civil service, he continued to farm and also logged for a short time.

Jimmie was active in the Olympia Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as the first fire chief upon its inception in 1972. Jimmie was fondly known as the "Mayor of Olympia" as he daily cruised Olympia Road in his Ford truck, checking on crops, wildlife and visiting with neighbors. He assisted with opening Hunnings Repair Shop most days by raising the flag and starting the coffee.

Jimmie's favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and taking his family on Sunday afternoon drives to see how the crops were doing or to look for hunting dogs that had not come home yet. He grew up hunting deer with dogs and served as "master of the hunt" for many years. Family vacations often involved fishing at Cape Hatteras, Harkers Island or a day trip to a fishing pier down at Atlantic Beach or a day or two down on Broad Creek. Jimmie was one of the first in Pamlico County to work with the NC Wildlife Resource Commission to reestablish a wild turkey population in that region.

Jimmie enjoyed factual and historical novels and films. John Wayne was his favorite actor. Surprising to many, he picked up a camera one day and for a period of time took many nature and wildlife pictures. Later in life, Jimmie enjoyed sitting on the carport, and watching birds and hummingbirds at their feeders. He vigilantly scared off the squirrels, blue jays and other annoying birds.

The family extends their appreciation to family and friends who checked in on Jimmie the last few years, and the staff and nurses at Grantsbrook Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Grantsboro.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 31, at 1:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home in Alliance, immediately followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. A private interment is planned for Sunday.

Flowers are welcomed. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Olympia Volunteer Fire Department.