Lamar Austin Holloway

Lamar “Smokey” Holloway, age 71, a lifelong resident of Baker, passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2022, after a fifteen-month battle with liver cancer.  Smokey was born on October 21, 1950, in Crestview, Florida to Tommie and Delean Holloway.  Smokey graduated from Baker High School in 1968.  While attending Baker School, his passion was football where he sported #72, he loved baseball and was a member of the band.  So many special memories were made there just hanging with the guys, many who are still lifelong friends.  On February 20, 1971, he showed up at the door of Pamela Leigh Burke wearing whitewashed jeans, a baby blue golf shirt and penny loafers with no socks for a first date and the rest is history. They were married July 7, 1972.  Smokey worked at Monsanto from 1969-1973, still helping his dad Tommie work and gather crops from the family field.  After being laid off, Smokey worked full time in the fields while studying for his insurance license.  In 1984, Smokey became a Nationwide agent in Crestview and in 2005, he went independent and became known as The Holloway Agency, where his son Dusty has been his business partner for twenty-eight years.  Smokey continued to go into the office up until the last three months of life when he decided that he deserved a break!

Smokey loved God, his family and friends, and being in the outdoors.  Through the years, he sang and played the bass guitar for several gospel groups: The Courtney’s, One Accord, Nu Sounds, and at First Assembly of God in Crestview.  He would often join his dad Tommie to sing and play at numerous funerals. Speaking of singing, oh the fun memories at Wog’s for karaoke nights on weekends with food, bonfires, laughter and love. He loved fishing and hunting with lifelong friends like Donnie and Paul and loved golfing with his son Dusty and grandson Chandler. He loved anything and everything his grands Madison and Chandler did through the years, whether it was weekend volleyball trips, competitive golf trips, vacations or just hanging out, that was his happy place. So many special times that will be cherished. Although life will never be the same, what sweet memories we will all have to talk about and a Christian heritage to pass on.

Smokey was proceeded in death by his parents, Tommie and Dean Holloway, in laws, Bobby and Freddie Burke, Uncle Joe and Seb Holloway and many other family and friends who were there to greet Smokey at heaven’s gate.

Smokey is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Pamela Leigh Burke Holloway.  A son, Dusty and wife Amy, granddaughter Madison and husband Ethan, and grandson Chandler, who called him Papa, and the sister he never had, Amy’s mom Carolyn Barnes. The apple of his eye, daughter Lana Holloway and his brother Ronnie and Noma Holloway, niece Tara and husband Aaron Orr, sons Autrey and Vaughn, niece Roni and husband Jonathan Caswell, daughters Lily and Lainey.  Cousin Gloria and Greg Fortner, Blake and Misty Fortner, Gavin and Payton, Brittany and Charlie Day, and Lynn and Steve Davis and daughter Claire, brother-in-law Lou and Ronda Burke and daughter Jordan and husband Isaac Fuentes as well as many other extended family members whom he loved.  Smokey was also blessed to consider the Gunters, Tolberts, Englishes, and Adams all family he chose and with whom his family shared many years of love, laughter, and special memories. Until the very end, they have been there, Gigi staying every night with Grammie, their families bringing food, sitting reminiscing, laughing, and crying with us. Papa loved his people and they loved him.

A special Thank You to the staff of the North Okaloosa Medical Center who became like family over the last seven months.  From the ER to the OR to the ICU to the 2 South floor, everyone knew Papa’s story and were routing for him through this battle with liver cancer and all its complications.   Most especially a huge thank you to Rhonda, Cara, Skylar, Felicia, Jamie, Jamie, Sydney, Jennifer, Anne, Dee, and Kathy. You know who you are, and we will never forget you! Y’all walked into Papa’s room every day and made a positive difference – thank you for your care, compassion, and professionalism.  Special thanks to Dr. Moussa, Dr. Thigpen, Dr. Donchey, Dr. Tablong, Dr. Josh Kolmetz and PA Amy Russell, Dr. Deleon, Melissa Emmerling and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for their teamwork approach to provide the best care for Papa. Most especially, to the pastoral staff of Lifepoint Church, your love and constant support, visits, and prayers sustained and encouraged us, and we will be forever grateful.  The last week, before the end, Papa continued to tell us and everyone that came to visit that “Heaven is real and you do not want to miss it” and that is our prayer that everyone will meet Jesus, just like Papa, face to face just as he did on Sunday, July 24, 2022.

Funeral Service and celebration of life will be held at Lifepoint Church, Crestview, Florida, on Sunday, August 7, 2022, with Pastor Michael Lugones and Pastor Mark English officiating.  Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 with the service to begin at 5:00. There will be a private family burial at Pyron Chapel on Monday.

Flowers are accepted or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lifepoint Church.  To donate, please click the link below and choose the fund “In Memory of Smokey Holloway”.

The service will be available to be seen on Lifepoint Church livestream, Sunday at 5:00.

You may leave your condolences at www.brackneyfuneralservice.com