Gary William Hollifield, Jr.

Gary "Johnny" William Hollifield, Jr. passed away peacefully at the Carolina Caring Hospice House in Newton, NC, on Wednesday, February 28th, after an extended illness.   

He was born in Marion, NC on August 9th, 1940. After graduation from McDowell High School, Johnny served as a cryptographer in the U.S. Army in Kansas City, Fort Benning, Izmir, Turkey, and Korea. Throughout his life, he remained grateful for his time in the service and the opportunities it gave him to serve his country, meet others, and travel the world.

After his discharge, he moved to Washington, DC, where he worked for the Hotel Washington as the night manager. On a trip home to North Carolina, his brother, Jimmy, and his then-girlfriend, Patsy, set him on a blind date with Patsy's sister, Judy. It was love at first sight. After four dates, the two became engaged and married just a few months later. The union produced two beautiful daughters, Sandi and Elizabeth. In May they would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.  

After moving to Charlotte, NC in 1966, Johnny worked with the Charlotte Observer as an apprentice printer and moonlighted as a newspaper carrier. He took to newspapers like a duck took to water and retired from the Observer as the Pre-Press Manager after 34 years of service. He was a 32nd-degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and a member of the Oasis Shriners in Charlotte, NC.  

Johnny enjoyed spending time and working in the yard at his mountain home in Micaville, talking with neighbors, making new friends, going to church, and trout fishing along the South Toe River. However, there was nothing he loved more than his family. His wife, Judy, was his true soulmate, always by his side. He was very proud of his daughters and loved their husbands like they were his sons. His beloved grandchildren, Wilson, Callie, and T.J., brought him consummate joy.  

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd in the chapel of Beam Funeral Home, Marion, NC with Chaplain Kim Dowell and Chaplain Wilson Hood officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors and Masonic rites will follow at First Baptist Church of Nebo.  

Mr. Hollifield is survived by his loving wife, Judy Elkins Hollifield of Hickory/Micaville, daughter Sandi Hollifield Hood and husband David, of Hickory, and daughter Elizabeth Hollifield Lipford and husband Tom, of Hickory, grandchildren Wilson Hood, of Providence, RI, Callie Hood, of Baltimore, MD, and Thomas Jacob Lipford (T.J.) of Hickory, brother, Bobby Ray Hollifield (Sherry) of Nebo, sister-in-law Patsy Hollifield Dobson of Marion, brother-in-law Joe David Owensby of Marshville, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Gary William Hollifield, mother, Ruth McGee Hollifield Justice, brother, Jimmy Hollifield, sister, Mary Louise Owensby, and special grandson, Jacob Lipford. 

Memorials may be made to Carolina Caring Cardinal Kids, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658, or Shriners Children's Hospital.