Eugene Leonard Holman, Jr.

Gene passed away Friday morning at 10:15,December 5, 2014.

Surviving are his wife of 15 years, Sue; his sons Werner (and wife Cindy) California, Wayne in Orlando, and Bob in Clermont; brothers Dick (and wife Loretta) in New York, Ted (and wife Sylvia) in Orlando, Wayne (and wife Brenda) in Sarasota and sister Vicki (and husband Jim) in Oklahoma; grandchildren Kenny, Theresa, Melissa, Alicia and Nikki; seven great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law Marge Holman in New York and Nancy Lafferty in Indiana; and step grandson Michael Maxwell in Ohio and many nieces and nephews.
Pre-decreasing Gene were his wife of 46 years Erika, his parents Gene and Sybella Holman and brother Bruce.

He suffered with shingles three years ago this coming January and has not really felt good since that time. As you all know skin cancers were an ongoing problem for many years, which were always removed by a dermatologist . However, last March he developed one on the back of his head and another on his right cheek which required more surgery than the dermatologist could. However, due to heart problems, he was not eligible for surgery. He did not want to undergo chemo and chose to stop all medical treatment. In July, his doctor recommended he go under hospice care, which he did. We did all we could to make him comfortable and he had several good months. Then he began having unbearable pain and began pain medication. He was able to go over to Ted and Sis's for Thanksgiving dinner with his sons, Bob and Wayne. His goal was to live beyond December 1st so he could send his kids and grand kids their Christmas gifts. This he did. I am so glad for him to no longer suffer as he was, but I am so sad for me, his family and I must include his kitty cat, who all miss him so much. He didn't show affection openly, but he loved his family very dearly.

Following is the introductory page to his memory book which he dictated to me. It's as good an obituary as any I could come up with:

"What's In A Name?

I was born in Maybrook, New York, and named Eugene Leonard Holman, Jr., after my Pa, the Sr. Since Pa was called 'Gene,' my parents nicknamed me 'Sonny.' And that's what they called me to the day they died. My aunts and uncles, my sister Vicki, and all my in-laws also call me Sonny.

However, my Grandfather McCulley, was known as 'Big Bear," and when my father and mother were married, Grandpa McCulley called my father, 'Cub.' Then when I, the first grandson, was born, my grandpa called me 'Little Bear.' When my brothers came along, they also called me 'Bear,' and when I went to school, all my friends and teachers called me Bear. And to this day, my older brothers still call me Bear.

When I left home to join the Army in 1945, I was called Gene, and I have been answering to that name (and others) ever since. I spent my first ten years in the Army as a cook, off and on, and was often referred to as 'that big mouth cook' by the officers in my unit.

When I met and married my German born wife, she pronounced my name, 'Cheen.' My brothers always kidded her about that.

Of course, the name for which I am the proudest is 'Dad' to my three sons, Werner, Wayne and Bob. Then later, I was proud to be called 'Grandpa' by my grandchildren, Theresa, Kenny, Melissa, Alicia and Nikki and my great-grandchildren.

And now, all my Fairways friends, and my wife Sue, call me 'Gene.'

Sonny, Bear, Cheen, Dad, Grandpa, Gene – They're all good names, and I'm proud of every one of them."

From Sue: Gene and I were married for 15 wonderful years. We traveled all over the world, played golf together, loved playing cards with friends, he went to church with me every Sunday until he became ill, and loved to cook our dinner every evening. We loved having his family come to visit, especially Nikki who stayed with us many weekends. He always cooked whatever she ordered. In fact, that was the one thing which attracted me to Gene: His love for his family.

We'll miss him dearly. Be at peace and pain free, my love. Sue

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lifesong United Methodist Church.