In the spring of 1943 John enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a gunners mate protecting supply ships aiding in the allied war effort. After the war he held various jobs before attending nursing school at St. Luke's Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. During this time, he was selected into a nurse anesthesia program from which he graduated in 1952. John entered the Air Force in 1954 and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. During his career he was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, the U.S. Military Hospital, Chateroux, France, Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Florida, MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida and Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX. He retired in 1974 reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1967 John was deployed to South Vietnam as a member of the twelve man surgical team at Can Tho, Vietnam. During the 1968 Lunar New Year assault known as the TET Offensive, Major Holian and his teammates performed 756 major surgical operations over a twenty-eight day period while under attack by the North Viet Cong Army. Upon retiring Lt. Col. Holian entered into private practice in Florida before relocating to Monticello in 1975.
When John moved to Monticello, he instantly fell in love with the woods, backwaters, rivers and lakes of South Arkansas and attempted to fish every body of water he could find. He appreciated the rural life, the slow pace, southern cooking, and the peace and calm he was never able to experience as a younger man living in the city.
Survivors include his wife, Joann Edington Holian of Monticello; five sons, John G. Holian, Jr. of Monticello, Peter D. Holian, and wife Ruth of Syracuse, N.Y., Mark T. Holian of Spring, TX; Daniel Holian and wife Theresa of Azle, TX and Phillip A. Holian of Tichnor, AR; one daughter, Linda Pond and husband Randy of Azle, TX; two step-sons, Steve Sullivan and wife, Tammy of Monticello and Samuel D. Grisham and wife Kelli of Marion, OH; four step-daughters, Belinda Akin of Monticello, Jane Kelly and husband David of Monticello, Cathy Cash and husband, Mike of Camden, Carolyn A. Baker of Nettleton, MS; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, one brother, William A. Holian of Hampton Bays, NY and one sister, Patricia O'Conner of Ozone Park, NY.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 8 at Stephenson-Dearman Chapel. Burial will be in Rock Springs Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time. Online guestbook www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(23)
Missy Rushing
Monticello, AR Monday, October 12, 2015 John, I am so sorry for your loss. Pray your Dad may rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him.Bobby&Margaret Gilliam
Shreveport, LA Thursday, October 8, 2015 Our Prayers are For John G Holian, Sr..and all of his family and relatives.Paige Stell
Monticello, AR Thursday, October 8, 2015 Mr. John was very easy to love. Spending time with him was a joy & learning experience for me. I will treasure the visits/moments in time we had together. Amazing what you can learn & experience in a short time. He was a strong man, had a huge heart, & if he chose to love you then you felt very special in his presence every time. To his family remember his stories & share them with others. He saw a side of life very few will know or understand. Cherish those memories. You are all in my thoughts & prayers. Rest in love & peace Mr. John until we meet again.Love,
Paige (Your "angel" for too short of a time)
Connie Smith
Belden, MS Thursday, October 8, 2015 My heart is with u and the family .......love to u all.......Debra Klinesmith
Belden, MS Thursday, October 8, 2015 So sorry for your lost ......he was a. Wonderful man .....so proud to have got to meet him ..... Love u and you are in my prayers alwaysCherie Brown
Monticello, AR Thursday, October 8, 2015 What a great man and friend!! I worked for several years with John at Drew Memorial Hospital and it was a learning experience for me. He had a great belly laugh and he loved his family and his country. God speed my friend - I'll miss you.Andy & Terrie Briant
Monticello, AR Thursday, October 8, 2015 Joann and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad and difficult time. God bless you with peace and comfort.The mullarkey family
cloonfad ireland, TX Thursday, October 8, 2015 Very sorry for your loss R.I.PAr dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.
James and Kathy Berry
Monticello, AR Wednesday, October 7, 2015 Joann and FamilyWe are so sad to hear that you have lost John. He was always kind and had a smile and enjoyed life.
We love you
James and Kathy
MARK L HAYNES
MONTICELLO, AR Wednesday, October 7, 2015 JOANN AND FAMILY, I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. BE THANKFUL FOR SUCH A GOOD LONG LIFE AND TREASURE THOSE MEMORIES. YOU WILL BE IN MY THOUGHT S AND PRAYERS.Marsha Pierce
Hampton, AR Wednesday, October 7, 2015 So so sorry Joann, my heart hurts for you. Comforting Prayers my sweet friend! Love you !Ann Kling
Monticello, AR Wednesday, October 7, 2015 Joan, so sorry for your loss. I will never forget how John took me under his wing when I was a Sr. in high school and let me experience the OR. He was a wonderful person that loved life. You are in my thoughts and prayers.Gloria Dickinson
Monticello, AR Wednesday, October 7, 2015 I am praying for all of the families. May God be with you as you say goodby.Janice Wiggam
Hot Springs Village, AR Wednesday, October 7, 2015 You have been so truly great to my mother in these past years and I am so sorry to hear of John's death. How wonderful to know he is now with our God. May our God give you comfort and peace in your loss.With love & sympathy,
Janice Gladden Wiggam
Joan Wraxall
Richmond, CA Tuesday, October 6, 2015 A big life, well lived. We were all fortunate to have met John.Tina and Ray Ferguson
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 6, 2015 We are so very sorry for the loss of your loved one.Our sincere condolences.
Sam and Kelli Grisham
Prospect, OH Tuesday, October 6, 2015 John you will be sadly missed by everyone that knew you. Your battles through the years don't leave scars but memories of how you lived life. I am truly blessed to have you as part of my memories that you truly loved all those close to you and you were a very proud man, serviceman and father. You will always hold a special place in mine and kelli's hearts. Love you always.Gail Doss
Wilmar, AR Tuesday, October 6, 2015 So sorry for your loss. He was a special addition to the Rock Springs UMC family.Gary Ivy
Temple, TX Tuesday, October 6, 2015 I will miss John alot he was always fun to be around during my visits.Faye Lewis
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 6, 2015 I didn't know John well, but I do know his wife JoAnn very well. So sad they didn't have a long time together because they had fun while John was healthy. She would tell me how fine a man he was and how happy she was being married to him. I know she took extra good care of him, because she is a wonderful nurse. He has a rather large family and I know you all will miss him greatly. Great men like John don't come along too often. He served his country as well as family and friends. I loved his voice.Joan Adair.
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 6, 2015 So sorry for your loss . He was a down to earth kind of man we had good laughs with him. May he r.i p . God bless All his family.Debra Kelly
Centennial, CO Tuesday, October 6, 2015 Heaven just got rowdy! John was such a fine and funny man, so full of life - it was a privilege to know him. Blessings to all the family that loved him so very much and will miss him terribly. Find comfort and peace in those wonderful memories.Janis Burt Smith
Malvern, AR Monday, October 5, 2015 To all of John's family, I want to extend my sincere sympathy to you. I had surgery at Drew Memorial Hospital in 1980, and he was my anesthesiologist. As I lay there on the gurney, waiting to go into surgery, I was very nervous. He stayed with me, talked to me, asked me questions, and the nerves went away. He was a kind and compassionate person, and I know all of you will feel his loss for many years to come. May God Bless you and ease your sorrow.