James Travis Holley, Sr., 91, of Shawnee, OK, died Jan. 6, 2022, in Shawnee.
He was born Jan. 26, 1930, to George and Lillian (Burkhalter) Holley in Durant, OK.
He met his future wife, Rose Zella Holley in NM, and they were married on March 25, 1951 in Carlsbad, NM. In 1961, they moved to Shawnee, OK where they made their home and raised their family.
James worked as a Plant Supervisor for James Sausage Company in Shawnee until his retirement. He also worked at the local peanut mill and a tree nursery.
He was a member of the former Praise Assembly in Shawnee, now known as Victory Family Church.
James enjoyed music and played the steel guitar. At the age of 16 he left home to pursue a music career with the steel guitar playing in Texas and New Mexico. He played with Bob Wills and locally with Don Cox, Jerry Matthews, Stan Cox and Duke Davis under the nickname of “Dallas Kid.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Rose Zella Holley; son, James Travis daughter Rose “Annette” Davis grandson Michael James Holley; parents, George and Lillian Holley; and brother and sister-inlaw, Aldene and Pauline Holley.
He is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law, George and Kathy Holley of Oklahoma City, OK, Dean and Ann Holley of Lebanon, MO, Chris Holley of Shawnee, OK, and Lonnie and Kim Holley of Shawnee, OK; 16 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; and other extended family and friends.
Services were held Jan. 11, 2022, at Victory Family Church, formerly known as Praise Assembly, 2301 E. Highland, Shawnee, OK with Reverend Kevin Jennings, Victory Family Church and Dr. Joseph Jones, Meeker First Baptist Church officiating. Burial followed at New Zion Cemetery in Chandler under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. The celebration of James’ life was live streamed through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
