Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Frederick Hollis Obituary
Frederick Davenport Hollis III, of Crawfordville, died in Tallahassee on December 16, 2013 after a brief illness. Fred was the son of Frederick D. Hollis and Emily Brim Hollis of Pelham, Georgia. He was born in Moultrie, Georgia on January 16, 1938 and grew up in Pelham. He graduated from Pelham High School and attended Florida State University with a major in Music Education. Fred joined the U.S. Army Band at Fort Myer, Virginia (Washington) where he served for three years performing in both the ceremonial band at Arlington Cemetery and the U.S. Army Concert Band. After living and playing his tuba in New York, he returned to Tallahassee and joined the faculty at Fairview Middle School where he taught band for thirty years. Fred was a founding member of the Tallahassee Winds, playing in the Tuba section. He was also a member of the Wakulla County Historical Society.
Fred is survived by his wife, Kay Hayes Hollis, his sister, Florence Hollis of Faber, Virginia, his step-daughter, Petra Schultz Ervin (Rick) and step-grandson, Bretton Hayes Ervin, all of Castle Rock, Colorado. Fred was an avid fisherman and loved to fish the grass flats near the St. Marks Lighthouse. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring at the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frederick Hollis
Nate (Nathan) Robinette
July 26, 2024
Mr Hollis was my band instructor back in 78-79-80, I truly respected the
man, even at that age, I've played music in bands my whole life and
Mr Hollis is a big reason for that...Thank you Mr Hollis....RIP...
Victor Gaines
March 18, 2014
To the Hollis family:
I was just thinking about Mr. Hollis the other day, when I learned of his passing. He was one of my first band directors (Fairview), and I learned a lot from him, as he gave me the foundation I needed to be a strong, competitive player in not only high school, but at Florida A&M, where I was a member of the band, as well!
Thank you for sharing him with me and the countless other musicians who learned under him!
Victor R. Gaines
roban
January 3, 2014
Fred,and
I just got to know you over the past too few years. Still, I feel I knew
you well. Sure, you could be an ornery teddy bear. Much more, you
revealed yourself to be intelligent and talented, tender and generous. The
boat you were building was awe inspiring. Truly, you are
appreciated.
Love to you and Kay and Petra.
Kathy T.
January 2, 2014
Perhaps there were better tuba players, but I never met them. I did, however, have the great and good fortune to befriend Fred in 1963 and I've had the privilege and joy of being his friend for all these many decades. Please accept my deepest condolences, Kay and Petra.
Sylvia Potter
December 26, 2013
Dear Kay,
I have only just heard about Fred. I have always considered him a special friend and a great musician. So sorry that he has passed away. Love, Sylvia
Ginny Densmore
December 25, 2013
Dear Kay,
I just got the sad news about Fred. I have admired his talents since we were classmates at FSU. Tallahassee was so fortunate to have him teaching here for 30 years, and it was wonderful when he was in the tuba section of the Tallahassee Winds. He will be greatly missed by me and many others as you know so well. Here's thinking of you!!
Love, Ginny
December 25, 2013
Dear Kay: I just got the word. I've been trying to call you, but have not been successful. I was sorry to receive the news and am wishing you the best. Please call me at 407-895-4749. We need to talk. Love you.
December 23, 2013
What a special guy...my brother Fred! As soon as I got my learner's permit in high school ('71), Fred whisked me off in his new VW squareback on a cross country journey...there were lots of adventures for me visiting his college music buddies along the way. Fred was so generous. I was grateful when he bought me my first car, a VW beetle when I started FSU. At the time, he also suggested I shorten my given name of Florence to an easier moniker: 'Flo', which I go by still. I loved his story telling of fishing & hearing from his knowledge of the unique flora, fauna & geology of south Georgia/North Florida. I will miss his smile and the gleam in his eye when he cracked you up with a funny story. I have always been so glad that Fred & Kay & Petra found each other & shared the road through this life together for a long while. I love & miss you very much Fred...Thanks for being you. Your sister, Flo
David Franklin
December 23, 2013
Dear Kay,
Elda and I are so sorry to hear the news. Fred was among our very first friends at FSU when we all arrived. And he remained a good friend.
Dave Franklin
December 23, 2013
Kay: My deepest sympathies to you and the family. Fred was my first mentor at FSU and actually taught me enough tuba to play in the Marching Chiefs. By second semester he had me in Symphonic band. We lost close touch over the years but he was always in my heart and mind as a wonderful pal and person. God bless you all. Tom Baldwin
Pamela Mason
December 23, 2013
Dear Kay and family:
I am so sorry to hear about Fred. He was my supervising teacher when I interned at Fairview MS back in 1972 and I still laugh at some of the jokes he would use on the students. His wonderful examples were valuable in my own teaching career. Please know that he made such a difference in so many lives!
December 23, 2013
Dearest Kay,
As you know I loved Fred and you and Petra. I will miss Fred'a humor and also I'll miss him as an outstanding person of integrity and decency. Indeed he was a wonderful person.
I express my deep sorrow to you and Petra,
Cliff Madsen
Bill Fredrickson
December 23, 2013
Dear Kay,
Thinking about you today and missing Fred. There will never be another like him.
Bill Fredrickson
Sonja Guthrie
December 23, 2013
Dearest Kay, I'm so sorry, and sad, that you lost your loving husband and best friend. I know you have many wonderful memories to cherish of your life with him, and my prayers are for your strength and healing heart. Godspeed to Fred on his journey. Love you ~
Steve Edwards and family
December 22, 2013
Please accept our sincere condolences.
December 22, 2013
Dear Kay, You have my deepest condolences in the loss of Fred. I did not know him as a musician, but wish I had heard him play. I will say that I will never again pass a What-a-Burger without a smile and a thought of Fred. With love, Mary Anne Price
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
Make a Donation
in Frederick Hollis's name
Memorial Events
for Frederick Hollis
How to support Frederick's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Frederick Hollis's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
