Kaylee Simons
Elmore Autauga News
If there is something happening in Wetumpka, there is a good chance Josh Holman knows about it, wants to go to it or already has plans to be there.
Josh, 45, has become a familiar face to many people in the community. He is involved at Thelma Baptist Church. He helps out at Coaches Corner Bar and Grill. He loves local parades, football, his nieces and being around people. His mother, Rhonda Holman, said that has always been a big part of who Josh is.
“I hope people smile and feel joy when they see Josh out in the community,” Rhonda said. “He may not always talk awhole lot, but he loves people. I hope he brings joy to them because that’s what he brings to me.”
Josh has Down syndrome. But that is only one piece of who he is. His life is made up of the people, places and tradition she loves. He is a son, brother, uncle, church member, sports fan and friend to many. Rhonda said their family has attended Thelma Baptist Church for nearly 40 years. She is part of a senior group there, and Josh has become part of it too.
“He just hangs with us,” Rhonda said. “He does all the fun senior things.
Josh has plenty of favorite things. He loves fishing, Auburn football, baseball, country music, John Deere and Toy Story.
Rhonda said his love for Toy Story started years ago after John Maloney took him to see the first movie. Maloney, a former Wetumpka High School coach, became one of the biggest influences in Josh’s life.
“John Maloney took Josh under his wing,” Rhonda said. “He has been one of the big influences in Josh’s life.”
That relationship also helped give Josh a place to belong through football. Josh helped with the Wetumpka football team as a water boy, and the connection stayed with him. When Maloney later coached at Huntingdon and Hooper, Rhonda said Josh was able to go along to games and stay part of the football atmosphere he loved.
Football is still a big part of Josh’s life. He loves Wetumpka football and also enjoys going to Eclectic games because of his nieces.
His nieces, Kate, Emma and Randy, are very special to him. Rhonda said the family travels to watch them dance and attend ball games. “He loves his nieces very much,” Rhonda said.
Josh is the youngest of three brothers. His older brothers are Scott and Wade. After raising three boys, Rhonda said she now has three granddaughters. The youngest, Randy, was named after Josh’s father. Josh’s father, Randy Holman, passed away 12 years ago after suffering a heart attack while working in Peru. Rhonda said he was always proud of Josh and would be proud of him today. “His dad would be very, very proud of Josh,” Rhonda said. “He was proud of him.”
Before Randy passed away, the family was able to travel some while he worked overseas. Rhonda said Josh has been to places like Switzerland and Rome. He has flown on planes, gone to concerts, traveled for football and lived more life than some people may realize at first. Even with all of those memories, one of Josh’s favorite things is still close to home.
Rhonda said Christmas on the Coosa is probably his favorite community event. For them, it is not just showing up for the parade. It is an all-day event. “Christmas on the Coosa would probably be his favorite,” Rhonda said. “It’s an all-day thing for us. We help line up the cars and floats, then he gets to ride in the parade. He loves hollering ‘Merry Christmas,’ and we watch the fireworks afterward.”
Josh also enjoys the Mardi Gras parade and fireworks. Rhonda said he loves anything that gives him a chance to be around people and take part in what is happening. That is part of what makes Josh such a meaningful piece of the community. He is not just someone people see at events. He is someone they remember. Someone they ask about. Someone they expect to see. Someone many people know by name.
“It’s amazing how the community loves him,” Rhonda said. “Everybody is so good to him.” For Rhonda, Josh’s presence has meant even more since losing her husband. He keeps her busy. He keeps her company. He gives her a reason to keep going, keep showing up and stay connected to the community around them.
“He’s the one who keeps me busy,” Rhonda said. “I don’t know what I’d do without him with my husband gone. He keeps me company and gives me a purpose to go on.”
Rhonda said Josh was a handful when he was younger. These days, she said, he is simply a joy to her.
To many people in Wetumpka, Josh is more than a familiar face. He is part of the parades, ball games, church gatherings, family memories and small moments that make a town feel like home.
