James Leon Holsted

A Celebration of Life for James "Big Jim" Holsted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, Ark. Reverend Rodney Steele and Reverend Randy Ludwig will officiate. There will be a Gathering of Friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, also at the church. There will also be a Memorial Service in North Little Rock at Lakewood United Methodist Church on Thursday January 17 at 11 a.m. "Big Jim" passed away in Mountain Home, Arkansas on January 12, 2013. He was born on November 2, 1944, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Leon and Frankie Warden Holsted. He attended North Little Rock High School graduating in 1962, and attended Vanderbilt University where he played basketball and graduated in 1967. On August 22, 1964 he was married to Joyce Elaine Phillips. He worked as a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors. "Big Jim" served many local area and state organizations. His passion for life and others pushed him to leadership at many of these organizations. He served in the Arkansas State Legislature as a State Senator. He was a Past-President of Rotary Club of Mountain Home. He served BRMC on their Investment Committee, and was a member of the ASUMH Development Council. Each week he reveled in sponsoring the Mountain Home High School Athlete of the Week. He mentored at-risk youth at the Alternative School. He served in various positions with the Christian Business Men's Committee. Led the Twin Lakes Bike Club and was a member of the Central Arkansas Recreational Peddlers. Here he was instrumental in establishing bike trails at Sylamo, Camp Robinson and Pigeon Creek. Jim's dedication to the Lord led him to become a Charter Member of Lakewood United Methodist Church of North Little Rock, Worship Leader at First United Methodist Church and a Lay Director and Chairman of the Board of "Walk to Emmaus." "Big Jim" is survived by his wife, Joyce; His daughter Susan Stockton and her husband, Mike of Mountain Home, Ark. His son, Chris Holsted and his wife, Sara of Murphy, Texas; his six grandchildren, Dalton Rebsamen, Rachel Alexander, Kylie Holsted, Connor Holsted, MacKenzie Holsted and Lawson Stockton; his three brothers, Jay Holsted and wife Martha of Denver, Colo., David Holsted and his wife, Nancy of North Little Rock, Ark., and Bruce Holsted and wife Becky of North Little Rock, Ark. He is further survived by a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and many, many friends. His big smile, infectious laugh and zeal for life were appreciated by many and shared with all and he will be sorely missed. Honorary pallbearers will be David Holsted, Bruce Holsted, Jay Holsted, Dalton Rebsamen, Connor Holsted and Lawson Stockton. In light of "Big Jim's" commitment to First United Methodist Church of Mountain Home, the Family requests that instead of flowers, donation be made to the church so that others may come to know the Lord the way "Big Jim" did. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Visit an online guestbook and obituary at www.kirbyandfamily.com .