Jayson Kent Holmes

Jayson Kent Holmes, 42, died in Van Buren on Tuesday, March 22. Jayson was a Christian, an artist, and a dearly beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, and cousin to family across the country. He was a friend who gave generously of whatever he had, even if it was all he had. Jayson loved deeply, fully, and loyally to those fortunate enough to be called his friends. He was kind, never letting a sorrow or problem go unaddressed in conversation, always gently, compassionately inquiring about the matter and offering to help; forsaking his own troubles to check on family and friends during their times of need.

Jayson practiced what he preached. If he believed a principle, philosophy, or scripture, he clung tight to it with his entire being. He devoured texts, books, media, any information he could get his hands on concerning the things that interested him. He argued his points online and sometimes with people who didn’t even know they were in an argument. If Jayson were here, he would tell you that he never lost those debates. Not even the debates with college professors. He was on a mission to tell the world that God is real and that God created the heavens and our earth. It was no accident.

Jayson played in multiple bands, wrote hundreds of songs, and drew and painted thousands of pictures. He made people laugh, and when he laughed, he smiled a big toothy grin that spread out across his face from ear to ear. It lit up the room and made people smile. Jayson loved children. When he saw a child, it became his sole purpose to make that child laugh. He never failed. Kids loved him.

Underground artists loved him. He wrote poetry, letters, and songs. He toured the country, playing in bands. He traveled Europe after high school, playing shows for foreign fans he would never see again. Jayson recorded albums and sold them for cash to gas up the van so the band could travel to the next town and play the next show.

People felt safe around Jayson. He was strong. He could lift heavy weights. He was tough. He practiced Jujitsu. On tour, Jayson would bring his weights, and during sound checks, he would lie down on a big red cooler and hammer out some bench presses or skull crushers. Nothing scared him.

Jayson graduated from Alma High School in 1997. He learned the brick trade and worked several years as a brick mason, often taking breaks to tour, play shows, or record music albums.

Jayson is survived by his mother Marla Cantrell (Mark Mundorff) of Alma; his father Mark Holmes (Angie) of Roland; his brothers Matthew Holmes of Maine and Whitney Ray (Elizabeth) of Florida; a niece Saidee Holmes of Greenwood; his nephews Elijah, Isaiah and Caleb Ray of Florida; his aunts and uncles, Jan and Corbett Carr, Riley and Debbie Cantrell, Phyllis Holmes, and David Holmes; and many cousins.

Jayson is preceded in death by maternal grandparents Albert and Eunice Cantrell, and his paternal grandparents Alvis and Fern Holmes.

A ceremony in honor of Jayson Kent Holmes will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 25 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Abbott, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home, 4100 Alma Highway, Van Buren, AR. Anyone and everyone who loved Jayson is invited to attend.