James Monroe "JM" Holtzclaw, 79, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020 at home in O'Brien, Fla. JM was born on Jan. 18, 1941 to his parents: the late Adel "Dell" and Leona Holtzclaw in Cross City, but spent most of his life on the south end of Suwannee County. He made O'Brien his home after moving from Lafayette County. JM graduated as Valedictorian of Branford High School in 1959, and attended Jacksonville University.
JM farmed for most of his life, where he "worked for peanuts." He served on the Suwannee County School Board from 1982-2014, on the Board of Directors for the Florida School Board Association and was a Trustee for the Florida School Board Insurance Trust. He served on the board for North Florida Farm Credit and was a member of Suwannee County Farm Bureau. He was currently serving as President of Oceanside 99, Ormond, Fla. JM served as a deacon at O'Brien Baptist Church, and was one of the founding members of the O'Brien Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed spending time with his family, farming, gardening, cooking, fishing and quail/dove hunting.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Rosanna Holtzclaw; one daughter, Mesharia "MeSue" Cochran (Ross) of Perry, Fla.; four sons: Mike Holtzclaw (Jennifer), Mitch Holtzclaw (Lisa), Mark Holtzclaw (Cathy) and MaKyle Holtzclaw (Amy), all of O'Brien, Fla.; thirteen grandchildren: Markell Holtzclaw (Darbi), Kyli Holtzclaw, Kara Holtzclaw (Kirk), Jarrett Holtzclaw (Karen), Kenzi Holtzclaw, Sydney, Lane and Kelton Cochran, Khloe Holtzclaw, Aubree, Ansleigh Holtzclaw, Matthew Yarborough (Paige) and Elizabeth Lynn (Matt); and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Frances (Smith) Holtzclaw; step-mother, Lucille Holtzclaw; and four sisters: Irene Valentine, Lorine Johnson, Helen Matthews and JoAnn Holtzclaw.
Visitation was held on Friday, Aug. 14 at First Baptist Church of Branford from 6-8 p.m. His funeral was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 at First Baptist Church of Branford. Interment followed at O'Brien Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memorial Giving 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.