30 Oct 2024 Person of the Month: Jerry Holmes

HOMETOWN: I have lived in Heber Springs for 50 years, and before that, I lived in Quitman for 14 years.

FAMILY: I married Jo 50 years ago and we have two sons, Justin (Rebecca) and Jace (Katie). Our grandchildren are Cooper, Emi, Deacon, Isaiah and Ethan.

CAREER: I was a Cleburne County sheriff’s deputy for five years, the sheriff for six years and the county judge for eight years. I owned Quitman Feed and Seed for three years, H & F Trading Co. for four years, H & F Trucking Co. for three years, Spunky Pig BBQ for five years and Cleburne County Livestock Auction for 24 years.

EDUCATION: I am a graduate of Quitman High School and the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, and I completed many hours of specialized law enforcement training.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I received the Woodmen of the World Life Saver Award; was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court Courtroom Security Commission; was appointed by the governor to serve on the Arkansas Highway Committee; and served on the White River Planning and Development Board and on the Child Safety Center Board. While I was county judge, I had the privilege to serve on many local boards and committees. When I retired as county judge, I was honored by our state and federal representatives and senators with proclamations of outstanding service to my county and received U.S. flags that had been flown over our Arkansas State Capitol and over our U.S. Capitol in my honor.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: I am an attending member of Renew Church of Heber Springs. I started the Feed a Senior Fish Fry and have helped organize it for seven years. This has brought in revenue to help fund Meals on Wheels.

PERSONAL INTERESTS: Since retirement last year, I have been able to enjoy traveling to various parts of the United States.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A CATTLEMAN?

 When I was adopted by Rile and Leslie Holmes, it became a part of my life. Pop (Rile) and my sister, Lois Rice, owned the livestock auction in Heber Springs. Pop ran a large number of cattle and horses on our family farm and rented properties. I started helping him take care of all the livestock and worked at the livestock auction at a very young age. My wife and I got into raising cattle and horses soon after we married.  We have pretty well had cattle most of our 50 years of marriage. We were able to purchase Cleburne County Livestock Auction in 1999 and raise our family in the old family business.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN CLEBURNE COUNTY? 

The county, as a whole, is a very beautiful place. Since having the privilege to serve as sheriff and county judge, along with hauling cattle all over the county, I have seen about all of our county, and it is pretty spectacular. I am, however, very partial to our farm. We are very blessed to live on our farm along with all our children and grandchildren. Nothing could be more special than to have my family so close. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING HERE?

I love the people of this county. Again, because of my leadership positions, growing up in a small family-owned business, and owning several small businesses myself, I have worked with and for the citizens almost all my life. I have witnessed them time after time showing up to lend a helping hand to their neighbors or someone in need. They are this county’s greatest feature.