January 31, 1943 — March 6, 2025
Osawatomie
Charles Eldon Holloman was born on January 31st, 1943 to Virgil and Sadie (Burgoon) Holloman. He was born and raised alongside his four brothers, in Osawatomie, KS, until 1988, when he moved to Greeley, KS. He still owned his personal auto shop on 6th and Pacific, across from the family-owned Holloman Laundromat. He moved back to Osawatomie in 2006, where he remained until his death.
He was united in marriage to Mary Jo Slayman in 1961. He has two daughters that resulted from that marriage, which ended in divorce. He was united in his 2nd marriage to Mary Ann Stanley in 1964. This marriage produced two children, a son and a daughter. They celebrated their 60thwedding anniversary in December of 2024.
Charles was a jack of all trades. If you needed something done or repaired, chances were high he could do it or help. He worked over his life in construction, welding, concrete, carpentry, electrical, and engineering. Most notably for the Boilermakers (largely at La Cygne powerplant), the Millwrights, TechAir (welding), MoPac (bridge repair & design), and Holloman and Associates (engineering). His work took him all over the world. Egypt being the most interesting and far. He traveled all through the states. Savannah, Georgia held a special place in his heart from his time there with his family working on the Gas Grenade Bridge.
Charles had many interests and hobbies. Including fishing, riding and racing motorcycles, dirt track racing, trap shooting, and gun collecting. He also loved to own and restore antique cars. Two of his most notable were his ’55 Chevy Bel-Air and his ’34 Ford Sedan once owned by Dale Earnhardt. Charlie, as most knew him, loved to have fun. Family, friends, and even just acquaintances (He never knew a stranger) all have so many memories of laughing, adventuring, and sometimes, barely surviving. He could be counted on to have a good conversation whenever you needed. Lovingly called philosophizing.
Charles was a devoted everything. If someone needed him, he did his best to be there to help. His children grew up knowing they had him in their corner. Right or wrong, they had a protector in him, always. He extended the same to their friends, their family, all his other family, friends, and even people who didn’t know him. He was also a wonderful grandfather. Attending their events and devoting most of his retired years to making memories with them. They all held a very dear place in his heart.
To say books could be written about his life and its adventures would be an understatement. Stories could fill several novels. Some almost unbelievable. Memories abound surrounding Charlie. He loved, laughed, and lived hard. He will be deeply missed.
Charles came home on hospice support in the care of his family on January 28th, 2025, after a long and silent battle with Prostate cancer. When released from the hospital the medical teams all believed his time would be very short. He enjoyed laughing & singing with his nursing staff. But, mostly enjoyed baffling the medical team by how long and hard his heart fought. Many times them having no explanation, other than his sheer will, for remaining this side of Heaven. When asked if he was always stubborn, family would just smile and chuckle.
Charles went Home peacefully, comfortably, and surrounded by love at 8:05 a.m. on March 6th, 2025. We may never know how many hearts he touched in his lifetime. But he blessed us all with learning how to love fully, how to have fun without reserve, how to work hard, show grace, and throw one heck of a punch. He will be beyond missed and forever remembered.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, a sister (Dorothy), two brothers (Don and Clifford), and his son (Charles).
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Mary Ann, his brother Johnny Holloman (Sharon), brother Virgil Holloman (Carol Ann-dec’d.), daughter, Beth (Holloman) Prothe (Les), daughter Barbie (Holloman) Lockwood (Luke), son Brian Gibson (Eryn), and daughter Amanda Holloman (Scott). Also surviving are sons bound not by blood but of the heart, Sean Ewbank (Mary), and Chauncey Ewbank (Renate). He is also survived by his grandchildren Ryan, Brandon, Skyler, Morgan, Emily, Shaylan, Brandon, Koen, Joss, Dakota, Ethan, SadieAnn, Brenton, Oliver, Liam, and Porter. He’s also survived by 8 great-grandchildren, many cherished cousins and niece & nephews. Love you, Dad.
Celebration of life is pending
Family has set up a Go Fund Me to help off set the cost for Mary. They have also set up a memorial fund at First Option Bank.
(Published in the Linn County Journal on March 10, 2025.)
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