Vaden V. Holloway

Vaden V. Holloway passed peacefully from this life on August 1, 2025, at the Shattuck Nursing Center in Shattuck, Oklahoma, surrounded by family. He had just celebrated his 99th birthday-a life lived with curiosity, service, and love. Born on July 29, 1926, in Shattuck, Oklahoma, Vaden was the fifth of six children born to Beatrice May Frost and Lewis Paul Holloway. He was raised on the family farm eight miles south of Arnett, where his lifelong love for tinkering and learning began. Always inquisitive and eager to understand how things worked, Vaden was a natural problem solver from the start. He began his formal education in 1932 at Mt. Zion School, completing three years of school in just two. He continued his education in Arnett, graduating with the Class of 1944. Vaden was a proud member of the high school band, playing the saxophone. Shortly after graduation, he was unexpectedly offered a position teaching band in Gage, Oklahoma. Though he humbly claimed he wasn't qualified, the superintendent said, "Don't you play saxophone?" That simple exchange set Vaden on his path to becoming a teacher-a vocation that would define much of his life. Vaden returned to school, earning his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University), where he was a proud member of the FarmHouse Fraternity. On June 26, 1950, he married his beloved Helen "Cordie" Wright in Kenton, Oklahoma, with his brother-in-law Charles C. Mitchell officiating. Together they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and learning. To their union, they welcomed three children: Linda Carol, Joe Kevin, and Melanie Joyce. Vaden began his teaching career in Canadian, Texas, where he was already ahead of his time-launching science fairs before they were officially recognized. Two years later moving to Perryton,Texas, continueing to teach chemistry, math, and science, and in the summers, worked at the bus barn to help provide for his growing family. He would teach and serve for many years until his retirement in 1985. More than just a teacher, Vaden was a mentor, a helper, and a jack-of-all-trades. He was known for having coffee ready before 7:00 a.m. in the teacher's lounge, for fixing cars, printers, darkroom equipment-you name it. He did it all with quiet confidence and a generous spirit. Always smiling, always helping. Vaden had a special place in his heart for Ford Mustangs. He owned 51 throughout his lifetime and loved working on them almost as much as he enjoyed taking rides in his granddaughter's Mustang. Cordie and Vaden also loved to travel, making memories across the country-from Disneyworld to Hawaii to Cape Canaveral, always learning, always seeking adventure, and always cherishing time with family. After 53 years of marriage, Cordie passed in 2003. Vaden then moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to his daughter Melanie. Even in his later years, he continued fixing everything he could-lawnmowers, tricycles, and more-and made a joyful return home back to Arnett in 2017. At 93, he and his sister Paula Lue, age 86, were still joyriding together to the Arnett Senior Citizens' Center. Vaden was independent, humble, and endlessly grateful. He deeply loved his family, and his kindness left a mark on generations of students, friends, and neighbors. He found joy attending the First Baptist Church in Arnett for five years, until the pandemic led him to Providence Place in Woodward. He completed his journey with dignity and peace under the loving care of Tradition hospice at the Shattuck Nursing Center. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Cordie; his son Joe; his daughter Melanie; his parents; brothers Darwin (Virginia), Marvin (Bette), and Rex (Aldyth); sisters Josia Lee (Charles Mitchell) and Paula Lue (Ray Bob Floyd); and two nieces. Vaden is survived by his daughter, Linda Rima of Denton, Texas; grandsons Mike Rima and wife Tammy of Denton, TX, Brian Holloway and wife Rachel and step great-grandchildren Alana, Chris, and Payton Hill of Perryton, TX, Andrew Holloway, and Joseph Paul Holloway; granddaughter Shelby Brown and husband J.W. Brown, and great-grandsons Jaxon and Tucker of Perryton, TX. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other family, former students, and friends who will carry his memory and legacy forward. A man of quiet strength, generous spirit, and a brilliant mind, Vaden Holloway made the world better in the most everyday ways-by showing up, helping out, and loving big. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Memorial donations may be made to the Arnett First Baptist Church (Building Fund) c/o Shaw Funeral Home P.O. Box 276 Vici, OK 73859.