Funeral services celebrating the life of James Holyfield, 82, will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Paschal’s Catholic Church in West Monroe with Fr. Nick Onyach officiating. After the service, burial will follow at St. Matthew’s Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home of West Monroe.The visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Friday, October 23, 2026, at Mulhearn Funeral Home of West Monroe.

James Holyfield was born on January 28, 1944, and passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2026.

James was born into a humble, hardworking farming family as the third of ten children. Growing up with modest means, he learned early that life required hard work, determination, and a willingness to do whatever needed to be done. His childhood days were often spent working alongside his father. James wasn't all work and no play. He had a mischievous streak and a knack for finding a little fun wherever he could. One can only imagine the stories that could be told about his younger days and perhaps a few that are better left untold.

As he grew, he continued to work diligently, holding various jobs and eventually becoming a skilled carpenter and later a licensed contractor. Those humble beginnings cultivated a remarkable work ethic, which he would later use to tirelessly provide a good life for his family.

At 19 years old, he met a young woman named Carmen, who would become the love of his life. A year later, at the age of 20, they married and began building a life together that would span 62 years. Along the way, they welcomed five children, and he took his responsibility as a husband, father, and provider very seriously. There were times he worked as many as three jobs to make sure his family had what they needed.

James knew how to build, fix, and figure things out. He turned his knowledge into a residential construction business and scaled it into a commercial contracting firm. His work survives today and includes the cabins at Chemin-A-Haut State Park in Bastrop, the marina at Poverty Point, Joe Aillet Field House at Louisiana Tech, and the Family Life Center for the Pentecostals of the Twin Cities, just to name a few. These buildings and structures stand as lasting reminders of a man who spent much of his life building things that would serve others for generations.

Tough and imposing like any great contractor, James also had the unique gift of cutting through that rough exterior with his incredible generosity. Those who were lucky enough to truly know him understood his heart of gold. He never missed an opportunity to help someone in need.

More than anything, he loved to share the magic of laughter and always had a personalized quip ready to deliver with his trademark tongue-in-cheek grin. He had a way of making people laugh, bringing a smile to their faces, and letting them know he cared. He could make you shake your head one minute and laugh the next.

The softer side of James became apparent as he started to have grandchildren and became actively involved in each of their lives. He made surprise visits with donuts and chocolate milk, found time to go to their events, and showered them with gifts and affection. Watching them grow and simply being in their presence brought him some of the greatest happiness of his life. He was also blessed with the opportunity to meet two great-granddaughters and was eagerly expecting a third.

He truly took advantage of all life had to offer and was not one to sit still. Throughout his years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, riding motorcycles, tending his garden, and raising farm animals. He always had a project going or a new business venture. James and Carmen traveled the country in an RV with dear family.

His garden was another expression of who he was. As long as he was able, he planted one every year, often growing far more than he and Carmen could ever use. But that was part of the joy of it. He loved sharing what he grew with family and friends. Whether it was vegetables, help with a project, or simply lending a hand when someone needed it, James believed in taking care of people.

At the heart of his life was Carmen, his wife of 62 years. Together, they built a lifetime of memories filled with hard work, sacrifice, laughter, and love. Their marriage was one of standing by one another through whatever life brought their way.

As the years passed and his health began to decline, Carmen remained faithfully by his side, lovingly caring for him until the very end. The young woman he married at 20 became his lifelong companion, his greatest source of comfort, and the one person he could always count on.

In the later years of his life, health challenges began to slow James down, limiting his ability to do many of the things he loved. But anyone who knew him knew that slowing down and giving up were two very different things. When walking became difficult, he used a walker to make his way to his fishing chair on the deck. And when the walker was no longer enough, he made the trip in his wheelchair. He may not have been able to do everything he once did, but he wasn't about to let that stop him from enjoying the things that mattered to him.

James was a man of many talents, many interests, and undoubtedly many stories. He wasn't perfect, and he never pretended to be. He could be hardheaded, outspoken, and a little rough around the edges, but he was also generous, hardworking, resourceful, and full of life. And if you were fortunate enough to be someone he cared about, you knew that when you needed him, he would be there.

He began his life with very little in the way of material possessions, but through hard work and determination, he built a life rich in experiences, accomplishments, and, most importantly, family.

His work can still be seen in buildings and landmarks throughout Northeast Louisiana, but his greatest legacy cannot be measured in lumber, bricks, or concrete. It lives in the five children he raised, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren he adored, the people he helped along the way, and the countless memories he leaves behind.

And while the sound of his hammer may have grown quiet, the things he built, the lessons he taught, the laughter he shared, and the love he gave will live on for generations.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Loyd Holyfield and Virginia Ridley Holyfield and his brothers Milton Loyd Holyfield, Jr., Henry Holyfield, and Bubba Holyfield.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carmen Holyfield, his sons, Mark Holyfield and wife, Courtney, Todd Holyfield, and Jimmy Holyfield, his daughters, Pam Charrier and husband, Sam, and Kim Holyfield-Smith and husband, David.

Grandchildren include, Bailey Holyfield Baier, husband, Sam, Ainsley Giglierano, husband, Vincent, and Kate Holyfield (Mark), Brennan Holyfield, Lindsay Holyfield, and Avery Holyfield (Todd), Christian Charrier, and wife Lorraine, Canaan Charrier, and Sarah Charrier (Pam) and Braylon Smith (Kim).

Great grandchildren include Aletheia Charrier (Christian) and Jordan Giglierano (Ainsley) and future great granddaughter from Bailey and husband, Sam. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces who loved him.

Siblings include brothers, Charlie Holyfield and wife, Holly, Johnny Holyfield and wife, Debbie, Joe Holyfield and wife, Linda, Billy Wayne Holyfield and wife, Michelle. Sisters Annie Jean Campbell and Ester Holyfield Hicks and husband, Ershel.

Pallbearers are Christian Charrier, Canaan Charrier, Brennan Holyfield, Braylon Smith, Bill Love, Tony Holyfield, and Tom Holyfield.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Byron Henry and his staff for their wonderful care over the years, Elara Caring Home Health and Hospice, Shandy Long Grisham, Sam Charrier, and David Smith for going above and beyond to help care for our father. Many thanks to Dan Thompson and Tammy Banzo for being his faithful, caring sitters. We would also like to thank the ER staff and team members at St. Francis for allowing us time and space to spend the last day with him as a family.