Gary Hollis

1951-2021

Posted

Gary “Poncho” Earl Hollis, 70, Brinktown, passed away Monday, Feb. 15, 2021 at Capital Region Medical Center following a lengthy illness.
He was the fourth child born to Willard Joseph and Fay Barnhart Hollis, Jan. 8, 1951 at Vienna.
He was united in marriage to Carol Kirkpatrick, Sept. 6,1996, who survives of the home.
Gary was a 1968 graduate of Maries R-1. He also graduated from Oklahoma Tech School with a degree in business and shoe, boot and saddlemaking in 1987. Along with wife, Carol, he owned and operated the All American Cowboy Shop. He was an expert leatherman. He made numerous saddles, boots, belts and chaps. He and Carol teamed up and taught chap making classes in California and Arizona. They also taught beginning leatherwork to 4-H groups in Tuscumbia and Brinktown. In the early 90s he helped organize the Missouri Youth Rodeo Association. In warmer weather, he loved to sit around an open fire and jam on his guitar. Neighbors would often stopover to join him. In the wintertime their house was open for whomever stopped over to join him in front of the fireplace. Some evenings his siblings would stop by to join in and enjoy his music. He had a horse from the time he had to shimmy up their legs until two years ago when he could no longer care for them. He greatly enjoyed riding, especially trail riding with his friends. He was generous and always willing to give an extra hand when someone needed it. He never met a stranger and was a friend to all.
He was preceded in death by parents, Willard and Fay; and brother, Terry Hollis.
In addition to his wife, Carol, he is survived by daughters, Kristy Helton and husband Terry of Vienna and Anita Makings and husband John of Marshall; stepson, Chris Winters and wife Debby of Charleston; granddaughter, Ashlyn Lathrom and husband Jared of Blue Springs; six grandsons, Trent Helton of Columbia, Taner Helton of Vienna, Traeton Helton and wife Hannah of Koeltztown, Teegan Helton of Vienna, Duffin Makings and Hollis Makings, both of Marshall; great-grandson, Summit Lathrom of Blue Springs, great-granddaughter, Brynn Helton of Koeltztown; brother, Larry Hollis and wife Cindy of Vienna; sisters, Sharon Wulff and husband Bob of Vienna, Beverly Buschmann and husband Dale and Linda Armstrong, all of Jefferson City, and Debbie Deeken and Lisa Garro and husband David, all of Vienna; brother-in-laws, Dave, Dan and Rich Vinton and families all of Iowa; special friend, Lori Beth Buechter of Tuscumbia; and numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other family members and friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 27, from 9-11 a.m. at Vienna United Methodist Church with memorial services following at 11 a.m.