James Holleman

James Granville Holleman, Jr. age 88, went to be with the Lord on February 29, 2020. Born September 3, 1931, in Clarksville, TN, Mr. Holleman was the son of the late James Granville Holleman, Sr. and Martha Elizabeth King Holleman.

He is survived by his sons, James Granville (Janet) Holleman, III, John Mark (Ricki) Holleman, and Robert Dudley (Ginna) Holleman, all of Clarksville; his daughter, Martha Elizabeth Holleman of Greensboro, NC; his grandchildren, James Brandon Holleman, Travis Alan Holleman, Carlynn Elizabeth Holleman, John Mark Holleman, Jr. and James William Holleman, all of Clarksville.

A patriarch of his family and his community, he was a gentleman and the gentlest of men. The strength of his character shone through his love of the Lord, his beloved wife, family, friends and associates. With great joy, he and Christa Nussbaumer Holleman shared a lifetime of giving to all who were blessed by their love and leadership.

Following his graduation from Vanderbilt University, Mr. Holleman became owner and President of James G. Holleman Real Estate and Insurance Company in 1953, which had been owned by his father and originally established by his grandfather. The company is now known as Coldwell Banker Conroy, Marable and Holleman. He also served as Chairman of the board of CMH Commercial Properties. Until his passing, he was among the oldest realtors licensed in the state of Tennessee and remained active throughout his career in development and commercial real estate ventures. He served as past-president of the Clarksville Board of Realtors and former president of the Insurers Board of Clarksville.

He was a founding director and Chairman of the Board of Heritage Bank and Heritage Financial Services, Inc., as well as a founding director of Guaranty Federal Savings Bank. Mr. Holleman was a former two-term councilman for the City of Clarksville and was one of the organizers and developers of Queen City Communications, Clarksville’s first cable TV system, now Charter Communications. He served as a trustee of the Board of Trustees of Baptist Hospital (Nashville, TN); a trustee of Baptist Health Care Systems, Inc. (Nashville); Board Chairman of Baptist Three Rivers Hospital (Waverly, TN) and a former member of the Committee on Foreign Relations (Nashville).

An ever faithful and humble servant, he was actively involved in church, educational and civic endeavors. Mr. Holleman was a lifelong member, deacon, past Chairmen of Deacons, and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church Clarksville. An advocate for education, he served as a trustee of the Board of Trustees of Belmont University (Nashville) and endowed scholarships at Belmont University and Austin Peay State University. Serving continuously since its establishment in the 1980’s, he was a founding director and president and chairman of the Austin Peay State University Foundation. He was a former trustee and Chairman of the Board of Clarksville Academy and was a scoutmaster. Throughout his lifetime, he remained passionate about mentoring youth and championing their success.

Mr. Holleman served as president and director of the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce; was an organizer, past vice-president and former board member of Leadership Clarksville; and was a member of the Development Council of Aspire 2000. A devoted Rotarian, he served as President of Rotary of Clarksville, was instrumental in developing Rotary Park and was recently recognized as Rotarian of the Century. He was a past United Way Campaign Chairman, former board member of the Montgomery County Heart Association and served in numerous other community and philanthropic organizations.

Visitation with the family will be at First Baptist Church Clarksville on Wednesday, March 4th from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday, March 5th at 11:00 am until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 5th at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Clarksville and officiated by Dr. Felts Dent and Pastor Larry Riley. A graveside service will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brandon Holleman, Travis Holleman, John Wayne Clardy, Jr., Frank J. Runyon, III, David Harris, Rod Streeter, Larry Rocconi and Grant Shaw. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brigadier General (retired) Wendell Gilbert, Dr. Reginald Lowe, James Amos, Christoph Nussbaumer and David Nussbaumer, Shan Smith.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Right At Home and AseraCare Hospice for their loving and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the First Baptist Church Endowment Fund, 435 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McReynolds, Nave and Larson Funeral Home, 1209 Madison Street, Clarksville (931) 647-3371.