Travelers Rest loses longtime member of medical community

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – A well-known member of the Travelers Rest medical community passed away at his home on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Dr. John Holliday, who was 95 at the time of his death, began his medical career in Travelers Rest in 1951, partnering with Dr. Landrum McCarrell to open a general practice. Four years later, Dr. James Barnett joined the practice, and the three doctors moved into a new medical building in 1956.

"Dr. Holliday practiced medicine in this community for more than 30 years, working tirelessly to keep us all healthy,” said Joyce McCarrell, co-owner of the Cafe at Williams Hardware and daughter of Dr. McCarrell. “People today would not be able to imagine the breadth of the Holliday/McCarrell/Barnett practice in the 'early' days, including house calls, baby deliveries at the hospital and at home, stitching cuts and industrial injuries, orthopedics and more.”

Prior to graduating from Furman University and the Medical University of South Carolina, Holliday served in WWII as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Medical Service Corps (771st tank Battalion, 84th Infantry Division), which participated in the Rhineland, Battle of the Bulge and Central European campaigns. He was awarded a Purple Heart, a Combat Medical Badge, and a Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

“We never even knew that he had been awarded a Purple Heart, which is indicative of his humility and his generation's commitment to serving their country,” McCarrell said.

Dr. Holliday practiced medicine until 1993.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in Greenville. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park in Travelers Rest.

The family will receive friends Monday, Aug. 25 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Howze Mortuary in Travelers Rest.

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.

Related on the Tribune: Dr. John H. Holliday, 95 - Travelers Rest