Jack W. Holloway Obituary (1919

Jack W. Holloway, age 87, of Russellville, won his final battle and was carried from the field of battle on Wednesday, 16 May, 2007 1800 hours at his home. He was born 29 September 1919 in Atkins to William T. and Mary Ella Dunn Holloway, the third of three sons. Jack completed his schooling in Atkins graduating in 1937. He then enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard, Battery F, of the 206th Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) which was headquartered at Arkansas Polytechnic College. Battery F manned 30 and 50 caliber machine guns. Jack, along with his brave and valiant buddies of the 206th Coastal Artillery deployed during World War II to Dutch Harbor in- the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. The Japanese attacked Dutch Harbor on the morning of 3 June almost simultaneously with their attack on Midway. The attack on 3 June consisted of 15 Japanese carrier based aircraft at 0545. Any doubt as to their enemy character disappeared when they began to strafe our installations, and our batteries opened an intense antiaircraft fire. At 0550 four bombers approached and released 16 bombs, killing approximately 25 men and wounding about the same number. The next wave of attacks came on 4 June at 1800 and consisted of three flights of Japanese bombers headed toward Dutch Harbor. (excerpt from William Maxwells World War II website). The bombers were accompanied by fighter escorts which strafed the harbor gun emplacements while the bombers dropped their bombs near Mt. Ballyhoo. The men of the 206 Coastal Artillery participated in repelling all three attacks and sustained two battle fatalities. Following his duty at Dutch Harbor, Jack was appointed to the Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Corp. He trained in a PT19A until being struck down with Rheumatic Fever. He spent over 100 days in the hospital before being honorably discharged in October 1943. Jack had an interest and talent in electronics which started very modestly and would once again serve our Country. Jack learned the Walton Family in Bentonville was going to sell the inventory in an Electronics Repair Shop. They were expanding for an early Wal-Mart. Jack approached them with an offer and soon found himself in business in Russellville doing what he loved. At some point, Jack decided to sell his business and move to California. This was a great move for him; he not only started his distinguished career as a civil servant with the U.S. Government, but also met and married Kay. Jack retired from the U.S. Naval Undersea Center after 29 years of service. During that time he was awarded with many patents in his field of electronics. He was part of a team that developed and deployed Sonar (underwater Radar) on the first Atomic Submarine which found its way under the Polar Ice Cap. This was the first Submarine to ever accomplish such a harrowing adventure. Jack returned to Russellville where he became active in Government and civic organizations. He was a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. He has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club since 1975. Jack loved the social events but especially was keen on the fund raising events on behalf of children. Much of his joy in life over the past 30 years has come from being a member of Kiwanis. Jack married Dorotha Smith in June of 2002. She has given Jack and our entire family much love, care and affection. She has tirelessly cared for Jack of the past several months and years. She has been a blessing not only to Jack but to our entire family. Jack is survived by wife Dorotha, her children Marilyn Lee and Wade Murray, his sister Frances Jablonski and many loving nieces and nephews. Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Katherine Kay Beeler Holloway; his parents and his brothers, Paul and Dean Holloway. Graveside funeral service and burial will be at 1400 hours (2 pm) Saturday, 19 May 2007, at the Atkins Cemetery under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Service. Rev. Tom Edwards, Arkansas Hospice Chaplain, will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the Rogers Rye Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2283 of Russellville. Visitation will be from 1800 until 2000 hours Friday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Hospice Center, 2405 East Parkway, Suite 3, Russellville, Arkansas, 72802. PDF Printable Version