Name: Visitation for Dee LaMar Holladay
Start: 2015-06-27T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-06-27T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Larkin Sunset Gardens - Sandy

Dee LaMar Holladay
"Gone Boating"
Dee LaMar Holladay, respected river runner and owner of Holiday River Expeditions, passed on to find more rivers to run. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother in-law and uncle passed away June 21, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Dee was born January 27, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Dee LaMar Sr. and Wanda Holladay. He is the 4th generation from John Daniel Holladay, the founder of The City of Holladay. He is survived by the love of his life Carole Sue Roth, his four daughters: Linda Rae Holladay, Janet Lee Holladay (John) Wood, Tammy Sue (Kerry) Jones, Shana Dee (Andy) Riddle, grandchildren: Lauren, Jesse, Topher, Lexy, Baily, Drew, brother Wayne and brother in-law Gary Roth. He taught his family a love for Western Rivers with the entirety of their beauty.
After National Guard service, and working for Bennett/Rick Warner Ford, Dee decided he wanted to run rivers and became the owner of Holiday River Expeditions. His family by biology or happy relation all helped in some capacity to create a reputable business that would forever be a part of their lives. In 1966 Dee and Sue hung out their shingle. Their business expanded from Utah into Idaho. Dee was part of the pack that brought about many important changes in the 60's and 70's by emphasizing the preservation of the river environment while also revolutionizing camping equipment. He has many friends in the outfitter business, including National Parks, The Bureau of Land Management and The Forest Service. Under Utah's Governor Scott Matheson, many Congressmen and numerous Senators, Dee's influence rippled in the pro-environmental movement. After many years of tireless effort Dee received many awards for his preservation and conservation doings in Utah River and riparian areas, including induction into the River Runners Hall of Fame.
We wish to thank Millcreek Home Health and Hospice for their love and care.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services on Saturday. Online condolences welcomed at www.larkincares.com.
In lieu of flowers please donate to The Nature Conservancy, The John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River, Utah, Colorado River Connected, or an environmental organization of your choosing.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Dee Holladay

Sponsored by Larkin Sunset Gardens - Sandy.

29 Entries

Vaughn Feulner

June 18, 2019

Had the opportunity to visit the River Museum in Green River last year and it is a wonderful exhibit that I am sure would not exist is not for Dee. Went on a river trip just last week and Dee's name still comes up around the campfires. He is an Icon in the river communities and his name will live on for tears to come.
Hope Sue and family know they are in the thoughts of all that have had the pleasure of knowing them.

Harold Sersland

June 17, 2019

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You set environmental standards for commercial river companies that were monumental. Thanks again giving me an opportunity to row for you. You were the best. Hagar

Jay Spector

July 15, 2015

Just confirmed my upcoming trip with Holiday River Trips and learned of Dee's passing. We did 2 or 3 trips back in the 80s with both Dee and Sue aboard. What a great experience to have known them even briefly. They made my wife Barbara and me feel completely welcome and comfortable in the environment of the river - something we both remember to this day. (I won't even mention how Dee plucked me from the water after my "rubber duckie " was capsized in 2 inch waves).

Sue our most sincere condolences go out to you and your family. Thanks again for everything.

Ray "Dog" Huntzinger

July 1, 2015

Just found out about the passing of Dee today and wanted Sue and family to know I am thinking of them. I am a better person because if Dee's lessons in hard work, respect for the environment, and the love of rivers. Dee was more like a father figure than a boss to me. He was a special man who will be dearly missed. Hope he is drinking a Miller Highlife on the perfect river right now. Love and thoughts to Sue and her family.

Myke Hughes

June 28, 2015

Sue and family...so sorry to hear about the passing of Dee. I'll never forget the day in the mid 70's that I met Dee right above skull rapid....and later met Sue at the take out in Cisco and asked them for a summer job that would change my life. The opportunities Dee and Sue have created for so many people are immense....you will always be remembered and always be a part of so many river stories....and the contributions to the preservation of the environment.

Juan Medina

June 27, 2015

Words alone cannot express the respect and admiration I have for Dee .He's a ledgend and will be remembered and toasted on the the river for years. Like everyone Dee has also left an impression on me, not only for the respect of the rivers and wilderness but also on how we treat and respect life. Rest in Peace Dee. Via con Dios. Love you Sue

Paul Van Dam

June 27, 2015

Dee was the finest person I've known. When he took me on as a trainee in my 40's , he changed my life. I learned about rivers and how to run them. This allowed me to continue to run them for many years. His wisdom and commitment to preserving the natural world and respect it all was a wonder to observe. We have lost a bright light. Sorry for your loss Sue.

Jan Taylor

June 27, 2015

The boys felt they were part of your family. Dee taught them to work hard, care for the environment, and to love rivers. What a gift. Love from all the Taylor's

June 26, 2015

Sue and Family, I wanted to express my sincere condolences for the loss of Dee. Losing this kind man will be a great loss to all who knew him. Sue, remember to take care of yourself and keep your family close. God bless you and your family.
Peggy Montague

Richard Quist

June 26, 2015

The roll call of a select group of truly good guys in the outdoor adventure outfitting business is sadly dimished by the passing of Dee - one of the "best of the best" members of this group. I'll honor his memory tomorrow while standing on the banks of the San Juan and hoisting a hearty toast to Dee - for all he stood for and all he did for the protection and sharing of rivers everywhere.

Roderick Nash

June 25, 2015

I began boating with Dee in the 1960s when he was still primarily a (very good) auto mechanic. I have rowed for HRE at times over six decades, most recently ten days ago on the Yampa. Dee deserves credit for his early recognition of the importance of reducing the environmental impact of river travel. Along with Sue he led the way from the toss-the-cans-in the bushes era to leave=no-trace. Among the guides we called this "Dee-way" to do it. I sent a number of friends and students to row for HRE and remain impressed at the quality of guides the company employed over the years. At one point Dee ssid "a lot of people can row boats but we are looking for those who also like to share rivers with people." He found them again and again. Mentor, friend, boating buddy---he was a treasure and he will be missed.

June 25, 2015

Sue,just want to let you know how sad I am to hear of Dee's passing. I will be forever greatfull to him for allowing me to be a part of the Holiday River Expeditions family. Because of that experience I had the opportunity to row the Grand Canyon in 1983 when the flow was 90,000 cfs, greatest adventure of my life. Dee is and icon within the river running community and is my honor to have rowed with him. I pray Gods Blessings for you and your family.
Harold "HAGAR" Sersland Mesquite,NV

June 24, 2015

I worked for him in the 80's and learned to love the rivers, and Southern Utah because of his willingness to hire a rookie. You will be missed.

Jerry Cooney

June 24, 2015

I had only a few encounters with Mr. Holladay over the past 10 - 15 years. At an AOA show or two as well as in our Salt Lake City shop. He was always pleasant, very engaging and typically provided a good education to me on rafts, oars, coolers and other things that did or did not work well on the water. I enjoyed those well thought out tutorials from a man who worked a lifetime in Western rivers. He was appreciated and respected by all of us here engaged in the business of making oars. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Douglas Pratt

June 24, 2015

Dee was a good man. I always looked up to him. I first met him in Green River back in the early seventies when he and the Quist's shared a warehouse together. Rest in peace, Dee Holliday.

Bob Lippman

June 24, 2015

Dee was a gentle giant among us who affected thousands of people and a new river community in positive and healthful ways, through his company, personal involvement and character, and innovations. I am always grateful for my seasons on the river with Dee, back in the '70's, where he mentored me from rookie boatman to trip leader. And I also fully appreciated that he actively gave back to the river and the community.
My heartfelt condolences and love go out to Sue and the Holladay family.

"My heart knows what the river knows, I gotta go where the river goes, restless river wild and free, the lonely ones are you and me..." (Katie Lee, Song of the Boatman)

James Aton

June 24, 2015

Dee was one of my river heroes. I admired so much his passion for rivers and his commitment to protecting them. He ran a model company. i don't think I have ever met a sweeter, kinder man on the river than Dee. He belongs in the river pantheon.

Vaughn Feulner

June 23, 2015

I got my first taste of river running from Dee in 1971. Dee and Sue were always wonderful and treated everyone in a special way. I bough my first raft from Dee and have been hooked on the adventure ever since. He touched and changed the lives of thousands of people and taught them to enjoy and respect the outdoors. He taught them how to camp and enjoy the wilderness with minimal impact. He will be greatly missed.

Dave Inscore

June 23, 2015

I took my first river trip as a guest in 1977 with Dee (when their office was still in their garage and we still used "Green River" rafts); he hired me that winter, and I was a 'part-timer' guide for him from '78-'92. I had the honor of doing several trips with Dee and wonderful Sue, and was part of "Dee Family". It was the toughest job I ever loved. He taught me more than rivers and boating; he taught responsibility, work ethic, company pride, and I watched his small company grow into an empire. He constantly grew, both in business and stature, going the extra 100 miles of Wilderness Conservation and Preservation. Dee was... and still is... and always will be a legend.
Good-bye, old Friend. Love to Sue and the family.

June 23, 2015

Dee and Family introduced many to the river, and we, and the rivers are better for it

Tim & Nanci Mertens/Allison

June 23, 2015

An amazing man and pioneer in modern day river running. Dee will live on through his many contributions and love of rivers and the enviroment. He will be remembered at many a camp fire. We wish the Holladay Family our prayers and condolences during this period of sadness.

June 23, 2015

Very sorry to hear of Dee's passing. I and Lynn traded an old war surplus (heavy) life raft for trips down the Green. We always had a great time on our trips. Dee was always a great friend as was also his wife Sue. Fond memories are in our hearts for the times we spent in his presence.

Mary Risser

June 23, 2015

I'm so sorry to hear the sad news. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Dee, Sue and the entire Holladay river running family. As a new superintendent at Dinosaur National Monument, they were friendly and welcoming. One of my fondest memories is of Dee telling me about an interview he did for Sky West when he said he really enjoying working in Dinosaur because all of the managers are women and because of his wonderful family, he enjoys working with women. Rivers and the river community are better because of Dee.

Stephen Leonard

June 23, 2015

Met Dee on my first river trip in 1980, been boating ever since. Thanks Dee and Sue for starting something that I'm I'm now handing off to my grandkids. Steve Leonard

JT Lemons

June 23, 2015

So sorry to hear this sad news. Thoughts and prayers to Sue and the entire Holladay family. Dee was a legend in the river outfitting industry and will be missed by all who knew him.

MARY MITCHELL

June 22, 2015

What a truly amazing man Dee was and what an amazing legacy he leaves in his loving family. The Holladay family has been like family to my own family for many many years. Tammy seems like my "4th daughter" and thru her friendship with my daughter Mary I've been fortunate enough to know and love all the Holladays. Please know how very much we love you and share in your sorrow. Much love from Mary Mitchell

Mike Willett

June 22, 2015

I am so sorry to hear about Dee. Dee taught me the art of rowing a raft, respect and love for the canyons and how to instill those things in the guests we took down the river. What he taught me is still with me today. We will miss him.

jack klopefer

June 22, 2015

He had a knack for making his river company the most efficient and interesting place. From the geology expositions, to the river gear he designed. It was always fun. I liked visiting, and There is not one thing that I can point to that I will miss the most. I guess I will miss him being there, and sometimes when least expected. it was great to do business with him. Dee Has the largest impact on Jack's Plastic Welding of any single person in the river business. I can not thank him enough. Fare well.

thanks for the opportunity to say how much we apprediated him.

Jack Kloepfer

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