JACKSON — John Dale Holland, aged 89, of Jackson and former mayor of Vicksburg, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, May 11, 2012.

Family members will receive friends in the Greeting Courtyard of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson on Tuesday, May 15, from 5 until 7 p.m. and again from 10 until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, with services following at 11 a.m. and burial at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery on Clinton Boulevard with the Revs. J. Ligon Duncan and Brister H. Ware officiating.

John was born in Jonesboro, La., in 1922. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1943 from Louisiana Tech University, where he served as student body president during his senior year. There, he was listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, and he received the leadership award from Kappa Sigma fraternity.

John served five years in the U.S. Navy and achieved the rank of Senior Grade Lieutenant. During his naval tour of duty, he served overseas with the submarine service Pacific Fleet. His military service included attending midshipman school at Notre Dame University and communications school at Harvard University. In 1948, he married Sara Jean Jones of Woodville, Miss.

Early in his career, John served as general manager of Early Chevrolet in Vicksburg and, later, co-owner of the Holland and Harris Dodge-Plymouth dealership. Elected mayor of Vicksburg in 1957, he was re-elected twice without opposition, serving until 1968 when he resigned to become assistant to the president of Mississippi Power and Light (now Entergy) in Jackson. At MP&L, within three months, he became Central Division manager, the utility’s largest service area. By 1970, John was elected vice president of MP&L in addition to being Central Division Manager and, in 1976, was promoted to VP, Area Affairs, in MP&L’s executive department. In 1983, he assumed additional duties and responsibilities of Public Affairs and Environmental Matters and served as executive vice president of Governmental Affairs.

His civic activities included being a 32-degree Mason, Shriner and member of the Royal Order of Jesters. He served as chairman of the board of the American Cancer Society, Mississippi Division in 1973, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi from 1971 to 1975, Jackson Citizens Advisory Committee, 4-H Advisory Council, Colonel MIM (Money in Mississippi), Willard F. Bond Home and was the former chairman of the Mississippi Museum of Art. He served as a member of the board of directors of Jackson Savings and Loan Association, Better Business Bureau of Mississippi, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi Heart Association, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Jackson Boys’ Club, American Public Life Insurance, Mississippi Lung Association, Deposit Guaranty National Bank (now Regions), Mississippi Museum of Art, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Easter Seals. On Dec. 1, 2011, he received an award of selfless board member dedication and service from The Home Place in Madison, Miss.

He served as a member of the advisory boards for St. Dominic Hospital, Hinds Community College and Alcorn State University Foundation Inc. He served as a member of the Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America executive committee, chairman of Louisiana Tech University Alumni Foundation in 1982 and their annual fund drive in 1981. He served as chairman of the United Negro College Fund Drive in 1982 and Jackson Chamber of Commerce local form of Government Study Committee, which resulted in the recommendation to change from the commission to mayor-council form of government. He served as chairman of U.S. Jaycees Foundation Fund Drive in 1984.

In addition, he was past president of Mississippi Municipal Association and Young Democrats of Mississippi. He was appointed by the governor of Mississippi as chairman of the Electric Power Task Group of MS Emergency Planning Committee in 1970. He served as president of the Mississippi Jaycees, vice president of National Jaycees and U.S. Junior Chamber international senator as well as many other activities.

In 1957, John was selected as Jaycee International Senator. He was selected Outstanding Young Man in Mississippi and presented the Distinguished Service Award by the Mississippi Jaycees in 1959. He was selected Man of the Year in Vicksburg in 1958 and Outstanding Mayor of the Year in 1959 for cities with populations of 10,000 and more. In September of 1980, he received commendation from Jimmy Carter, then president of the United States, in recognition of exceptional service to others. He received the United Negro College Fund Distinguished Leadership Award in 1980 and many other commendations and honors.

John was responsible for bringing the Miss Mississippi pageant to Vicksburg in 1958 when Mary Ann Mobley was selected as the state winner and went on to become Miss America. The following year Lynda Mead was selected Miss Mississippi and went on to win the national title. John served as Master of Ceremonies for the pageant for many years and was active in the Miss America pageant. Throughout the years he judged many Miss America-affiliated state pageants.

John’s love of family was always apparent in the enjoyable times he spent over the years with his wife, children and grandchildren at TUJON, his lake house on Thompson Lake in Vicksburg. He will be fondly remembered by his family and friends as a true Southern gentleman, a welcoming host, a delightful and entertaining storyteller and a collector of friends. He loved his Brotherhood Sunday school class at First Presbyterian Church, where he served as president many times. He was a beloved mentor and highly respected for his political advice. The world is a better place for those who knew him.

John is survived by his four devoted children, John Dale “Skipper” Holland Jr. (Janice), Cheryl “Sherry” Rula (Richard), Mark Whitaker Holland (Sherry) and Sara Ragsdale (Johnny); three grandsons, David Anthony Rula, Stephen Holland Rula and Mark Whitaker “Whit” Holland Jr.; one granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Holland; and four great-grandchildren, John Holland Rula, Larson Richards Rula, Sara Kate Rula and Stephen Nicholas Rula. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Sara Jean Holland.

Serving as pallbearers are David Rula, Stephen Rula, Whit Holland, Dana L. Turner, John Price Pyle, Todd Pyle and Peter Faust. Honorary pallbearers are Earl Keyes, Joe E. Holland and David Stewart.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1390 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39202 or the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, 3000 Old Canton, Suite 110 Jackson, MS 39216, www.kidneyms.org.

Mr. Holland’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Drs. George Patton, George Wilkerson, Marcelo Ruvinsky and the staff of Fresenius Medical Care and, additionally, to Jacob Melkanian for his loving care over the last year.