Gerald Wayne Hollis

Gerald Wayne Hollis, known to all as Jerry, 72, of Shreveport went Home to his Lord and Savior on July 10, 2023 after an extended illness.   Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, July 18  from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed immediately by a memorial service at 3:00 pm, both at  Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.

Born July 26, 1950 to Reuben Herman and Emma Irene (Simpson) Hollis, Jerry grew up in West Monroe, Louisiana with his seven brothers and sisters.  After his dad Herman passed, the family was blessed by a wonderful stepdad, J. C. Albritton.  In addition to parents and stepdad, Jerry was preceded in death by eldest brother John W. Hollis and sister Carolyn Clark; he is survived by brothers Robert H. Hollis, Randall S. Hollis, Roger A. Hollis, and sisters Deborah Kaye Cannon and Penny M. Stark, and their families.

Jerry is also survived by his son Ian Brent Hollis, born of Jerry’s marriage to Fern Laing, and grandchildren Alyssa, Ashton, Angelina, and Mirabella, and by his stepson Blake Cohen and stepdaughter Haley Cordaro.

Jerry began working for General Motors in 1977 in Monroe, moving to the Shreveport plant in 1981.  He remained with GM for over 33 years in a variety of positions, and enjoyed both the jobs he held and the community of friends he made at GM.  Following a short retirement, he felt called to return to work at his then-church, Emmanuel Baptist in Shreveport, where he stayed another 9 years before retiring once more.  In addition to the many activities he enjoyed, he learned to dance and met his wife Kelly Pugh in 2013 when he offered to teach her to two-step; they never quit dancing after that.

Jerry loved God, and he loved his family, and was proud to call his son Brent his best friend – yet he had many wonderful friends and cherished those friendships.  He also loved his church, both Emmanuel and Brookwood Baptist, and he loved cars, and motorcycles, sports (especially the Saints and LSU!), dancing, golf, bowling, traveling, country music, and much more – not always in that order!  Generous of spirit and slow to anger, he was a kind and gentle man who worked hard, played hard, prayed hard, studied Scripture, talked about Jesus, and knew he was heading Home.  He will be missed by many.