James Hollingshad, 79
Funeral services for James Roosevelt Hollingshad, 79, of West Plains, were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home in West Plains. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, also at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial was at Sweeton Pond Cemetery.
James died at 9:18 p.m., Friday, July 26, at his home, surrounded by family.
He was born April 15, 1945, at Hastings, Nebraska, to James Mitts and Bertha Bernice Cash Hollingshad.
On June 25, 2016, he was married at White Mountains, Alaska, to Venita Lair.
James was larger than life and a remarkable human being. He graduated from high school at Dora. He joined the United States Army on July 9, 1963, serving in the Vietnam War.
After serving in the military, he traveled the world with his family and career as an aviation specialist, living in South Korea, West Germany, Savannah, Georgia, and North Pole, Alaska. Later in life, he enjoyed splitting his time between Missouri and Alaska.
James was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and hunting.
He had a big heart for everyone he met. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, adopted father, and he was everyone’s favorite uncle.
James was baptized at 9-years-old at Twin Bridges by Alva Bennett of the Bethany Missionary Baptist Church after hearing Pastor Preston Maggard preach. He remained a member of the Big Springs Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife Venita Hollingshad of the family home; three children: Jim Hollingshad (Jayson Zielinski) of Nashville, Tennessee, Donald Chamberlin, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Dora Michele Krause (Max), of San Antonio, Texas; five stepchildren: Brenda Kimball (John) of Pomona, Linda Jackson (Lonnie) of Pomona, Darrin Reed (Reta) of West Plains, Ricky Hall (Sherry) of Pomona, and Micky Hall (Lisa) of Pomona; one grandchild: Mia Fern Brown (David), of Dora; three great-grandchildren: Olivia Brown, David Brown, Jr., and Micah Brown; two sisters: Carolyn Gresham (William) of Salem, and Diana Wyble (Ron) of Salem; two brothers, Rodney Allen (Patty) of Nucla, Colorado, and Edward Allen (Susan) of Arma, Kansas; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Olivia Fern Hollingshad; one brother Jerry Hollingshad; four sisters: Reba (Jackie) Jennings, Donna Allen, Judy Perkins and Dorma Pry; and one stepson, Scotty Reed.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sweeton Pond Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.