Donald "Gene" Holliman, age 75, gained his perfect healing on June 12, 2023.

Gene was born April 28, 1948, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, to Harvey and Myrtle Holliman. He grew up in the Atwood and Holdenville areas. He lived at the Holdenville Fish Hatchery where his Dad was the local fish hatchery man. He was in the last graduating class of Atwood High School and received his Associate's Degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College. He also attended East Central University. In 1971 he married Donna English. They had two children, Angie and Todd.

Gene worked at Burton IGA as a teenager and young adult. He was a dispatcher with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol before beginning his work for the state of Oklahoma with the Department of Human Services. He worked with the adult protection services program for many years before being named County Director of Hughes County and later Seminole County as well.

Gene was an amazing man of God. He attended the 4th and Broadway Church of Christ for many years. Most recently, he attended and was an Elder at the East Main Church of Christ. Gene was civic and community minded. He had a passion for helping others and serving our local communities. He served multiple terms on the Holdenville City Council. He was a member of the Hughes County Historical Society and appreciated all those who contributed to and preserved local history.

Gene was involved with the Holdenville Recreational Authority, where he held several board positions in addition to coaching many of Todd's little league soccer, basketball, and baseball teams along with his brother-in-law Hal. Gene had his officiating licenses in football, basketball, and baseball. And, he was a proud member of the Holdenville Booster Club and held offices there too for many years.

Gene served as volunteer statistician for the Holdenville Public Schools' football and basketball teams for decades. He loved the Wolverines and forged many lifelong friendships with the coaches, school personnel, and players. The school showed their love for him when they presented Gene his very own letterman's jacket just a couple of years ago. It was something he treasured greatly.

Gene was an avid Oklahoma Sooner, Dallas Cowboys, and Oklahoma City Thunder fan and enjoyed attending many of their sporting events over the years. He also greatly enjoyed attending Texas Rangers baseball games and grew up watching the New York Yankees. Gene loved the outdoors and was quite the quail hunter and fisherman in his younger years. He instilled his love for fishing in his children and grandchildren. When Angie and Todd were growing up there were few weekends the family was not at the lake with the Epperleys. After retirement Gene and Donna enjoyed traveling with friends and saw a lot of unique landmarks in the United States.

Gene's pride and joy were his two grandsons, Bryr Lane and Tytan Gene. Most recently he enjoyed watching Bryr work with and show his sheep and getting involved with the Holdenville FFA program. He was also excited that Tytan had enjoyed his first year in school. Gene also loved to plant and work in his vegetable garden each year. He was literally in the garden with his grandsons just the night before he fell ill. He was known to deliver veggies to various people all over town. Gene also enjoyed cooking with his fresh vegetables. One of Angie's favorite things was to be called and asked if she wanted a BLT with some of his homegrown tomatoes.

Gene was well known in Holdenville and very well respected. He was mild mannered and a true leader. One of his former employees shared that even when he had to correct or redirect you, he did it in a loving manner and made you feel better about yourself and your job when you left his office. He used every negative as a learning experience and never made her feel stupid or incompetent. A friend shared that she will remember the good Christian man he was, and another shared he will remember his love for teaching and sharing the word of God. Many used the word or phrases: wonderful, one of the good ones, kind, a truly great man, a great friend to others, amazing person with a fabulous smile, a man with a true tender and caring heart, a good friend and man who cared so much for his family and community, a person who would do anything for anyone who needed it, a true mentor and one of the finest men I have ever met, a true servant's heart, truly the list goes on and on.

One of the tributes to Gene said that the town of Holdenville has suffered a great loss. And a good friend shared that not many people could tell him anything when he was 30 years old, but he knew when Gene talked he had to listen. He went on to express his gratefulness for Gene's mentorship and life lessons. Gene's family was made aware of how great the impact he had on people truly was the afternoon of his death when nurses and therapists who had worked with him over the last several weeks flooded the room to pay their respects. One caregiver said that it had been a true honor to care for such an incredible man. Gene's personality shone through even during the most difficult of times.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Donna; children Angie Cole and Todd Holliman (fiancé Kylie); grandchildren Bryr Holliman and Tytan Holliman; sister Jo Ann Sterling and sister-in-law Sue Holliman; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends who he loved so dearly.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Holliman, Sr. and his mother, Myrtle Holliman; sister Frankie Luna and brother, Harvey Holliman, Jr.; mother-in-law Gwen English; and son-in-law, Michael Cole.

A celebration of life for Gene was held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 11:00 am at the East Main Church of Christ with burial following in Holdenville Cemetery. Josh Moyer and Terry Newell were the officiating ministers. Pallbearers were Bryr Holliman, Tytan Holliman, Chad Epperley, Wyatt Epperley, Pat Brown, Chris Goforth, Grant Gandy, Randy Fennell, and Ronnie Bankston. Honorary pallbearers included Earl Dunkleberger, Jeff Hinze, Butch Rawls, MikePatterson, Jerry O'Steen, Mike Holliman, Keith Holliman, Jay Roberts, Shawn Roberts, and Mike Brown.

The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude for all the many acts of love shown to them during this difficult time. Gene is greatly missed, but the legacy he left will carry on in all those who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully asks that you donate to the Holdenville FFA, 210 Grimes, Holdenville, OK 74848 or to the Thomas-Breeding-Buckley Post 32 American Legion, P.O. Box 411, Holdenville, OK 74848.