ROCK HILL, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – We here at CN2 want to remember and celebrate one of our beloved colleagues at Comporium (CN2’s parent company). Jack Holladay retired just last year after 38 years of service. We, along with the community were devastated to learn the news that Jack passed away Tuesday.
He’d been the Executive Vice President of Technology & Facilities with Comporium, but his service to the community (he was a longtime volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club and many other organizations), his generosity of spirit, giving nature, warmth and love for his family are what will be remembered most.
His wife Lora sharing on Facebook a beautiful tribute that included the line, “to be loved by Jack was a gift from God”. He and Lora have 2 sons, Jay and Spencer – and he was very much a mentor and friend to many. Jack’s funeral is set for this weekend.
Here are the details: Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 14th from 5-7 PM at the Greene Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Jan. 15th at 3pm at Oakland Ave. Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill.
John Stuart (Jack) Holladay, Sr.
1962-2023
A greater guy you will never find.
An unstoppable force of kindness.
Real hero.
One in a million.
A truly kind gentleman.
Brilliant mind, quiet strength, and impeccable integrity.
Go Dawgs…
John Stuart Holladay, Sr. (Jack) passed from this life into glory in the early hours of Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at his home in Rock Hill, SC. He was born in Marietta, Georgia on May 22, 1962 to Dr. William Edward Holladay and Elizabeth ‘Betsy Lee’ McNair Holladay.
Jack lived in Rock Hill, SC since graduating from Presbyterian College with a double major in Math and Computer Science after Ed Barnes recruited him to join Rock Hill Telephone Company – now, Comporium. Jack went on to complete his MBA degree at Winthrop University. He worked with Comporium for 38 years – first as a management trainee, then rising through the ranks to Executive Vice President prior to his retirement in July 2022. When asked why he retired so early, Jack replied, “I want to date my wife.”
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lora Higginbotham Holladay, whom he married on August 31, 1996 in a ceremony at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. He often called her his ‘Sweet Angel’ and she was absolutely the love of his life. They lived a ‘real life’ love story for the years they were granted together – a love that transcends the boundaries of heaven and earth.
Jack’s presence will also be missed by sons Jay Holladay and fiancé Rachel Marks, Spencer Holladay, and nephew-son Kenny Bowman; sisters Neill (Bill) Blake, Lynn (Tom) Bagley, Carol (Greg) Griggs; brother Bill (Luanne) Holladay; Aunt Renna ‘Boo’ Massey, Aunt Jane McNair, and Aunt Nancy Holladay; Uncle Bill (Becky) McNair; the Higginbotham clan including parents-in-law Jack and Barbara Higginbotham; Marilyn & David Hyppes, Kim & Tony Buchanan, Jeff and Kathleen Higginbotham, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews whom he loved dearly.
Jack demonstrated the best of servant leadership in his classic, understated way. His was not the loudest voice in the room, but often, the most compelling, as people who knew him listened intently when he offered an opinion. His brilliant mind was surpassed only by his giving heart and he often made possible solutions to problems without any hint of seeking recognition or self-promotion for his many acts of kindness over the years. He invested time in building relationships with people around him and his smile was a reliable warm greeting with friends old and new.
Jack had many philanthropic endeavors that included active service on the Board of Trustees for York Technical College, over 10 years of distinguished service as an officer of the boards with Boys & Girls Clubs of York County and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Crescent Region, and service with Worthy Boys & Girls Camp. He supported many ventures serving individuals experiencing homelessness in our community and beyond, along with many other church outreach ministries. He lived his philanthropy day-to-day without fanfare or regard for acknowledgment. He saw and met countless needs of individuals and organizations over time – he lived a ‘Matthew 25’ life:
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:37-40
Jack’s remarkable legacy of generosity will be celebrated by his family and friends at a visitation on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 5:00-7:00PM at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel followed by a Celebration of Life service on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 3:00PM at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church with Pastor Reed Wilbanks officiating. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Jack’s memory to NAMI of York County, PO Box 3626, Rock Hill SC 29732 or online at namipiedmont.org.
Arrangements by Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel.
Below are pictures of Jack from the Pioneer End of School Bash back in May for the Boys and Girls Clubs of York County. Jack cooked burgers and played games with the kids. One of many ways he gave back to our community.
