Dr. John H. Holliday, 95 - Travelers Rest

Dr. John H. Holliday, 95, of Travelers Rest, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at his home.

He was born in Toney Creek, S.C., which later became Belton, S.C. on November 5, 1918, to Robert H. and Lonie Ellison Holliday.

During World War II, he served in the European theater as a First Lieutenant Medical Service Corps in the 771st tank Battalion, 84th Infantry Division, which participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Central European Campaigns. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Medical Badge, and authorized the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

After returning from service in World War II, he graduated from Furman University with a B.S. degree and went on to graduate from the Medical University of South Carolina. In 1951, he started his medical practice in Travelers Rest. Dr. Holliday was a member of the Greenville County Medical Association, South Carolina Medical Association, American Medical Association, and served as Treasurer of the Greenville County Medical Society for three years. He was a Board Certified member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Holliday practiced medicine until 1993.

Dr. Holliday was an active member of his church and community. He was a communicant and former Vestry Member of St. James Episcopal Church. He was a forty-year member and past president of the Travelers Rest Lions Club; past president of the Travelers Rest Elementary PTA; and served two four-year terms on the Greenville Area Mental Health Board.

He and his wife loved to travel and traveled extensively throughout the world visiting all of the 50 states, much of Canada and Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South and Central America. They loved hiking and canoeing and were active with the Greenville Natural History Association for many years. They canoed many rivers throughout the U.S. until they were in their 80s. They enjoyed bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs throughout their lives.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Surviving are his wife of sixty-six years, Ilse Kramer Holliday, four children: Bob (Judy) Holliday , Carol Holliday, Mike (Dondi) Holliday , and Danny (Maryellen) Holliday ; grandchildren: Holly (Chuck) Smith, Erin Banonis, Kelly Holliday, Lindsay Holliday, Andrew (Valerie) Holliday, and LCPL Patrick Holliday, USMC; and great-grandchildren: Ashton Smith and Summer Smith.

Dr. Holliday was predeceased by two sisters, Geraldine Cantrell, of Williamston, S.C., and Audrey Campbell, of Belton, S.C.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday Morning at 11 o’clock at St. James Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Howze Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Furman University Endowment Fund, C/O Furman University Development Office, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, SC 29613.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.thehowzemortuary.com.