John Nichols Holden, 83, passed away on Thursday, August 16, 2012.

John was born April 26, 1929. He graduated from Dyersburg High School in 1948 where he was a member of the undefeated Big Ten Championship football team. He was a Korean War Army Veteran decorated with the Korean Service Medal, Silver Star for gallantry, United Nation Service Medal and a Purple Heart. He was a member of First Baptist Church. He owned and operated Holden's Grocery for many years.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 18, 2012 in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with Bro. Raymond Boston officiating. Committal services will be officiated by the Rev. Mike Hickman. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Dyersburg Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patsy King Holden of Dyersburg; two sons John King Holden (Amy) and Patrick Holden (Tammy) all of Dyersburg; a daughter, Jan Holden Jones (Jeff) of Bartlett; seven grandchildren Whitby and Walker Holden, Edye-Bette Holden, Emily, Caleb, Ellie, and Ensley Jones; one sister, Elizabeth Fowlkes of Dyersburg; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Columbus "Bunk" and Edna Nichols Holden.

Pallbearers will be Danny Fowlkes, David Fowlkes, Richard Fowlkes, Dan Fowlkes, Caleb Jones, Walker Holden, Rob Peckenpaugh, and Andrew Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be Grady Gentry, Sonny Smith, J.F. Hollandsworth, Rusty Norville, Travis Miles, John Hamilton and Lance Estes.