Thomas J. Hollarn

Thomas J. Hollarn, age 85, of Shalimar Florida, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, January 26, after a wonderful life with his loving family and his favorite job, flying.  He was born in Erie Pennsylvia on July 15, 1934 to Thomas A. Hollarn and Ruth Linse Hollarn.  He played football at Harbor Creek High School and then at Penn State.   Fearful that football injuries might keep him from getting into pilot training, he gave up his scholarship and transferred to the University of New Hampshire graduating in 1957 as a Distinguished ROTC graduate with a regular commission.  After a short stint at Bell Telephone in Philadelphia, he entered Class 59D in the fall and after graduation went to F86’s at Williams AFB in Arizona.   Tom had known Pat at UNH but they were just friends and after graduating before Tom, she went back to New York City.  However, several years later, he walked back into her life and after a big traditional Italian wedding, they shared the next 60 years in a great marriage. Together they traveled the world from Oklahoma, Texas, France, Idaho, Germany, and finally Eglin AFB.  Tom had a tour in ATC at Vance and Randolph then back to TAC and the F-4 for many flying hours including two tours in Thailand.  He retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1979, turning down a Pentagon tour to continue flying with the Navy and defense contractor at Sherman Field in Pensacola and Kingsville Texas.  After a heart condition was diagnosed in 1987, he became a flight simulator instructor at Whiting Field in Milton, finally retiring in 2013, after 23 years Air Force and 33 years Navy.  Besides flying, Tom dearly loved his family.  He was predeceased by his parents and brother Dennis, and is survived by his loving wife Pat and his three beloved daughters, Renee, whose husband Rick, a well-loved son-in-law who passed away on the same date January 26 in 2017, Dana Davis (Dereck), and Sheryl Howard (Alan); grandchildren Brenna Barr (Sean) , Savannah Malloy, Stephanie Dutton (Brian) , Linsey Lenyo (Mark Pageau), Tony Lenyo, and Nick Hazama.  Great-grandchildren are the Dutton’s: Briley, Kyla, and twins Myles and Dylan.  All of this much loved family made Tom’s Christmas and final days a thing of joy so that he could let go and fall asleep last Sunday.  The family wishes to especially thank Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and the Destin Rehabilitation Unit for the excellent care he received for two months, followed by the 24/7 at home care then provided by Home Instead and at the end, Emerald Coast Hospice.  We will never forget the many years of care and caring from Dr. Derek Jimenez.  Visitation will be at McLaughlin Mortuary in Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, January 30, from 5-7 pm, followed by a memorial funeral service at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach on Friday, January 31 at 2 pm.  After the service, a reception will be held at Saint Mary’s Parish Life Center.  

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