J L Holtsclaw, 89, of Quinlan, Texas passed away on November 29, 2019 in Greenville, Texas. He was born on July 30, 1930 in Roan Mountain, Tennessee to his parents, Beecher Holtsclaw and Pearl Edith (Barnett) Holtsclaw. Mr. Holtsclaw left the mountains of East Tennessee in 1948 to join the Air Force and had a 30-year distinguished career. He followed this with a career at the Dallas Post Office. When he retired in 1992, he split his time between Texas and Tennessee, enjoying fishing, gardening, and his grandchildren. When he was in Tennessee, he was better known as the Chaplain of the Roan Mountain Moonshiners, playing the “tub” with them as well.
J L is preceded in his death by his parents, Beecher and Edith Holtsclaw; brothers, Eugene and Dennis Holtsclaw; sister, Lori Cook; mother and father-in-law Winnie and Alfonse Dodge; brothers-in-law, Vester Jarrett and Allan Dodge; and infant children, baby girl Holtsclaw, and twins, Terry Lee and Jerry Ray Holtsclaw.
Those who are left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 33 years, Donna Holtsclaw; children, Sherry Lowe (J. D.), Jill Hesterman (Tom), David Mercer (Nung), Diane Pierce (Walter), Debbie Farley (Glenn), Beth Baucom (Andy); sisters, Delores Jarrett and Claire Malito (Paul); sister-in-law, Nancy Dodge; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be between 4 and 6 pm on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Quinlan Funeral Home and at 10 am on Monday morning before the service. The Home Going service will be on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 11 am at Quinlan Funeral Home with Chaplin Mike MacKrell officiating. Burial will be at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.
A special thanks to Whitney Brummett of Hope Health Care and the staff of Tender Care unit of the Colonial Lodge for their care they extended to Mr. Holtsclaw and his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bull Creek Cowboy Church, Lone Oak, or to Lake Area Shared Ministry of Quinlan, or to a charity of your choice in J L Holtsclaw’s honor.
