“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing”. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Funeral services for James Nelson Holtzclaw, 86 of West Monroe, will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, May 15, 2011, in the chapel of Kilpatrick's Funeral Home, North 7th Street, West Monroe, with Rev. Mark Fenn and Lonnie Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Calhoun. Mr. Holtzclaw went to his heavenly home on Thursday, May 12, 2011, after a lengthy illness. He was a member of First Baptist Church of West Monroe. Mr. Holtzclaw was preceded in death by his father, Elias Alexander Holtzclaw; his mother, Cordye Calhoun Holtzclaw; infant brothers, Jack and Charles Holtzclaw; a younger brother, John Malcolm Holtzclaw, and his granddaughter, Heather Sepulvado Williford. Survivors include his loving wife of over 61 years, Carolyn Leree Emory Holtzclaw of Calhoun, LA; daughter, Gwen Rankin and husband Gary of West Monroe, LA; daughter, Debbie Sepulvado and husband David of West Monroe, LA; son, Roger Holtzclaw and wife Alison of Houston, TX; son, Tom Holtzclaw and wife Stacey of West Monroe, LA; brother, Eugene Holtzclaw of Rayville, LA; granddaughters, Gretchen Armstrong and husband Mike, Garrah Leshe and husband Roye, Gentri Stinson and husband Andy, Michelle Sepulvado Davis , Leslie Holtzclaw and Brenna Holtzclaw; grandsons, Brian Sepulvado, Michael Holtzclaw and Hart Holtzclaw, as well as eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Mike Armstrong, Roye Leshe, Andy Stinson, Brian Sepulvado, Michael Holtzclaw, Hart Holtzclaw, Ken Evans, and Cody Williford. Mr. Holtzclaw was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother who gave of himself unselfishly to everyone he knew. Known as “Nelson” while growing up in Choudrant, LA, he left employment with Brown Paper Mill Co. Inc. in West Monroe to enlist in the United States Coast Guard on October 29, 1942. He dutifully served his country in World War II, surviving the cold north Atlantic winters including an iceberg collision that left his ship, the U.S.S. Mohawk crippled; he was honorably discharged on March 18, 1946 and returned to this area where he met and fell in love with Carolyn Leree Emory with whom he married on November 23, 1949. Together, they dedicated their lives to their church, their children, and the growing families as well as caring for their two mothers, and several family members who could not take care of themselves in later years. He had a contagious smile that reflected his genuine love of life and his love for those around him. He was a true example of what a Christian should be as he put God first, followed by his wife, his children and his family, as he always placed himself at the end of the line; although he was an humble man who unfailingly directed attention away from himself, he could not help but beam with pride when it came to his family. He loved to work in his church where he served in many different roles including Sunday School Director, Training Union Superintendent, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and choir member. He joyfully served his Lord, whether it was helping others with his hands as he was considered a “jack of all trades” or with his knowledge as he volunteered to lay-pastor in surrounding churches. He was always happiest when surrounded by children, and in his waning years when life seemed fuzzy and unclear, children would always put a smile on his face. During the last Christmas season, he remarked that he “just wanted to go home.” We know that he arrived at his eternal home at 1:25 p.m. on May 12, 2011, and that he is rejoicing with those who had gone on before, waiting on those of us to follow. Words cannot describe how much we will miss him, but we know that he is free of pain and singing praises to God in his heavenly home. A true Patriarch, you have given us a heritage that cannot be taken away; we praise God for the blessings that He has provided, and we await the day when we will be reunited to sing praises to God as we once did when we were young.