Raymond Earl Hollenhead, Sr.

Funeral services will be held for Mr. Raymond Earl Hollenshead, SR, age 88, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 405 East 5th Street, Homer, LA, on Tuesday, May12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Bro. Ken Karl, officiating. Interment will be at Lebanon Cemetery in Ruple Community, LA. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9-11 a.m., prior to the service.

Mr. Hollenshead was born July 14, 1937, in Haynesville, LA, to Alvin Ray Hollenhead, SR, and Fern Prince Hollenshead. He entered into peaceful rest on May 6, 2026, in Minden, LA. Mr. Hollenshead was raised in the Ruple Community and graduated from Homer High School. After graduating, he joined the U. S. Navy where he served the country he loved for 20 plus years. During his career, he was deployed several times on aircraft carriers for service in the Mediterranean Sea as well as other regions. Later in his career, Mr. Hollenshead served in the Brown Navy while in Vietnam with an all voluntary helicopter attack squadron called the Seawolves providing air support for the Navy Seals. While there, Mr. Hollenshead also participated in the TF-116 River Patrol Force, AKA, “River Rats,” where as few as 30% of them came back. He retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer at the end of his Navy career. During his career he met the love of his life, Doris, and they began their family while stationed in Millington, TN. The family lived in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi, and a few other states before coming back to his hometown of Homer where he sold cars. Mr. Hollenshead was the manager at the Pearson Ford, Lincoln & Mercury dealership, drove a school bus, as well as, founded and operated the Central Claiborne Water System. Telling jokes to anybody and everybody was a favorite pass time of his. Mr. Hollenshead believed in hard work and respected those who did the same. Giving $2.00 bills away was a hobby and reminded him of how he got paid while serving in the Navy.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carrie Jane Gibson.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Doris Mitchell Hollenshead; four children, Tammy Emerson and husband Allen of Homer, LA, Raymond Hollenshead, JR, Brian Hollenshead and Lori of Haynesville, LA, and Keith Hollenshead and Rhonda of Homer, LA; sister, Nina Nell Sanders of Haynesville, LA; brother, Alvin “Rayboy” Hollenhead, JR and wife Suzanne of Brazoria, TX; five grandchildren, Kristin Goede, Bradley Emerson, Matt Hollenshead, Heath Hollenshead, and Holley Hatcher; eight great-grandchildren, Cason Hollenshead, Addison Hollenshead, Anna Goede, Emily Goede, Sadie Emerson, Sawyer Emerson, Daxx Hollenshead, and Tuff Hatcher; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Hollenshead’s family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Phillips, Dr. White, Leslie Lakes Rehab staff, and all the caregivers who helped with his care for the past few months.

In lieu of flowers honoring Mr. Hollenshead, his family suggests memorials be made to Lebanon Cemetery, 125 Beaver Creek Road, Haynesville, LA 71038, or Wounded Warrior Project.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110