Allen B. "Corkey" Holden

Allen B. "Corkey" Holden, 74, of Bella Vista, Ark. died Jan. 28, 2016. He was born May 23, 1941 in Ft. Smith, Ark. He served in the United States Army with the military police. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Master's Degree in Education. Mr. Holden was united in marriage with Mary Jean Clark, July 21, 1963. He was employed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services to include Child Support Enforcement. Mr. Holden was a Licensed Practical Nurse. He was employed at several area medical facilities. He was an avid Boy Scout leader and a member of the Order of the Arrow. Mr. Holden served in various leadership positions with the Western Arkansas Boy Scout Council. Mr. Holden served as an auxiliary Police officer with the Ft. Smith Police Department and also was a 32nd Degree Mason. He attended various powwows and Native American activities celebrating his Cherokee heritage. He was a member of the Salvation Army. He established the Sea Cadet Corps through the Salvation Army in cooperation with the United States Navy. He worked with the Salvation Army Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center in Denver, Colo. He also served with the disaster relief to include local disasters as well as Hurricane Katrina. Preceded in death by his mother, Juanita Pound Holden Wilson and brothers, Dewey, Jimmy and Jon Holden. Mr. Holden is survived by his wife Mary Jean Holden of the home as well as his loyal companion, Fuzzy, a loved Amazon parrot of over 50 years. He is also survived by numerous friends and relatives. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at Bella Vista Assembly of God. An internment will be held at a later date at the V.A. National Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.