Daniel "Dc" Hollenbeck

Remembering Daniel "DC" Hollenbeck. August 24, 1984 - February 21, 2025.
Most people knew him as "DC." If you ever had the privilege of meeting him, even just once, you never forgot him. He was a man who left an imprint on every life he touched, whether it was through his tireless work helping others, his deep and unwavering love for his family, or the sheer force of his presence that made every room he walked into feel more alive.
On February 21, 2025, we lost not just a friend, a father, a partner, and a son, we lost a force of nature. DC was one of the rarest souls, a man who gave everything he had to those who needed him. For the last ten years, he dedicated himself to saving lives. Thousands of people owe their second chance at life to DC. He didn't just help those struggling with addiction, mental health, and life's darkest battles, he rescued them. He fought for them when no one else would, advocated for those who couldn't advocate for themselves, and stood by people in their most vulnerable moments. He did this with a heart that never wavered, with a moral compass that never strayed, and with a level of integrity and compassion that is almost impossible to find in this world.
His impact on the recovery community is immeasurable. His name is spoken with reverence by those who knew the depth of his kindness, the strength of his will, and the power of his belief that no one was beyond saving. DC was not just respected, he was loved. He was one of the very, very few who did this work with all his heart and without compromise.
DC joined the Marines because he believed he was meant to fight for his country. What he didn't realize at the time was that his greatest battle wouldn't be fought overseas, it would be fought here, in the recovery world, where he became a warrior for those struggling with addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. He committed his life to rescuing the addict who still suffers and advocating for people who could not advocate for themselves. He fought not with weapons, but with relentless compassion, determination, and an unshakable belief in the people he helped.
But beyond his mission, DC was a man of deep love and unwavering loyalty. Above all, he loved his family. His parents, Mary Ann and Tom Hollenbeck were not just his guides in life they, were his protectors, his rescuers, and the foundation that made him the man he became. DC spoke about them with absolute admiration, always with a smile on his face. They were the ones who instilled in him his sense of self-worth, his belief in doing what is right, and the unwavering value of integrity. He often said that his greatest pride wasn't just in his own recovery, but in the fact that he was able to give his parents peace of mind, knowing that he was living a life he was proud of. He cherished the ability to bring them comfort, to make them proud, and to show them that all of their love and sacrifice had created a man who lived by the principles they had taught him.
He was a father. His sons, Ethan and Hayden, were the absolute lights of his life. Every joke he told, every game he played, every moment he spent with them was filled with a love that was deep, unshakable, and unconditional. His greatest joy was making them laugh, making them feel safe, and making sure they always knew just how much their dad loved them. He wasn't just a father, he was their dad, their protector, their biggest fan.
Outside of his family and his mission, DC was the kind of person who made life fun. If you knew him, you knew his jokes, always quick, sometimes ridiculous, and always followed by his own booming laughter, which was louder than anyone else's in the room. DC could turn any moment into one of joy, whether he was pulling a prank on his closest friends, cracking jokes until tears of laughter streamed down your face, or making up some absurd inside joke that would live on for years. When he laughed, he really laughed louder than everyone else, with that unmistakable, contagious energy that made everything just a little brighter.
DC loved life in the purest way. He cherished taking his loved ones to concerts, sports games, and dinners at restaurants where he always made sure everyone was treated like royalty. Riding his motorcycle wasn't just a pastime, it was his therapy, his way of clearing his mind and finding peace.
And then, of course, there is Gunner. DC's "horse-sized" Great Dane, his loyal companion, his shadow. Gunner will miss his dad, just as much as all of us will. Their bond was undeniable. DC's stories about his larger-than-life best friend were endless, from exaggerating his size to anyone who would listen to sharing how much love and joy that gentle giant brought into his life. Gunner adored DC, and that love was mutual. There is no doubt that Gunner will be feeling this loss, just as deeply as we do.
DC's story was one of redemption. He knew struggle. He knew darkness. And he fought every single day to heal, to grow, and to become the best version of himself. He was always pushing forward, still advocating for himself, still doing the work to heal.
To those who knew and loved him, we ask for patience and respect for his family as they navigate this unimaginable loss. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:00am – 11:00am at Gentry-Griffey Funeral Chapel located at 5301 Fountain Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918. A memorial service will follow starting at 11:00am.
DC brought countless people into the light. And though he is no longer with us, his light will never dim. It lives on in every life he saved, in every person he loved, in every laugh, in every joke, and in every moment of kindness that he showed the world.
Rest easy, DC. Your work here will never be forgotten. Your impact will never fade. And those of us who had the honor of calling you a friend, a brother, a father, a partner, we will carry your legacy forward.
We love you. We already miss you so much. And we will never, ever forget you.
Memorial contributions in Daniel's name may be made to:
- Young Williams Animal Center of East Tennessee, www.young-williams.org, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919-3365.
- Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org, 285 Peachtree Center Ave, NE, Suite 2700, Atlanta, GA 30303.
- American Red Cross, www.redcross.org, 431 Eighteenth St., NW, Washington, DC 20006.