Donnie Holland

DONALD (DONNIE) WAYNE HOLLAND

                       4 Dec 1948 – 4 Nov 2019

                Donald Wayne Holland left this world peacefully to be with his Lord and

Savior on 4 November 2019.  He was surrounded by his loving family and faithful

companion “Lucky”, black poodle.  We rejoice in his Homecoming and reunion

with our precious Kaylee.  He fought cancer bravely for the past nine years and

now he is free.  He was a devoted husband, father, and PeePaw.  Donnie loved

spending time with family and friends, pulling for his FSU Seminoles, working outside,

spending time at the family farm in Wing, Alabama, volunteering for numerous fundraising

activities that he and his wife conducted for many years. but most of all cheering on

his granddaughters in all their endeavors. 

He had a sweet tooth and never passed up a dessert. Donnie was born on

4 December 1948 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.  He graduated from Crestview High

School in 1966.  “Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog”.   Donnie attended Pensacola Junior

College, Okaloosa Walton Junior College, and ended his college years at Florida State

University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with an emphasis in

Business Administration. 

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper.  Donnie

held many rewarding jobs during his lifetime, including a concrete business with

his dear friend Doug Faircloth and a residential construction company with his

brother, Jay Holland.  He retired in 2009 from the United States Air Force Civil Service.

Donnie is preceded in death by his parents; Homer and Minnie Holland; sister,

Lavada (Herb) Pangle; brother, Jay Holland; and his beautiful granddaughter, Kaylee

Elizabeth Robinson; brother-in-law, Carl Garrett; and nephew, Kenny Pangle.  He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Elaine Ward Holland; daughter, Staci Holland Robinson; son-in-law, Billy Robinson; granddaughters, Jennifer Morgan Robinson and Emily Grace Robinson; sisters, Annette Garrett and Mary Ellen (Bill) Compton; brother-in-law, Bruce Ward; niece, Tammy Ward Cooper; and extended family and best friend of Kaylee; Sabrina (Trey) Carmical, and their two special boys Conor & Porter Carmical; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He is also lovingly survived by his ever faithful and constant companions, his poodles, Lucky, Olivia, and Rusty.

The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 PM on Thursday, 7 November 2019 at Whitehurst- Powel Funeral Home, Crestview, Florida.   Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM, 8 November. at First Baptist Church in Crestview, Florida with Reverend Alan Kilgore officiating.  Burial will follow at Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery. 

As many of you know, Donnie was not a fancy person, he was very casual, per his request, he would like for his friends and family to come dressed in your favorite College Game Day Attire and if you don’t have a favorite, he would love for you to support his beloved FSU Seminoles and wear Garnet and Gold!

The family would like to invite all of Donnie’s family and friends to join them for a

celebration of life following the graveside service at the Lodge on Ward Ranch, located at

5798 Ward Ranch Road in Crestview, Florida. 

The family also wishes to thank the nurses and care team from Emerald Coast

Northwest Florida Hospice for their loving care and support during this difficult time. 

Donnie especially wanted to give special thanks to Dena, Katy, and Brandy from Hospice;

a special thanks to Dr. Christopher and entire staff, especially Valarie; Dr. Horowicz,

Catherine and Pam; Dr. Mann, Sam Ward; Dr. Zurita at MD Anderson and staff in Houston, Texas, all of whom are responsible for the extra nine years Donnie was able to become a cancer survivor.  Donnie’s family would also like to thank several very special friends who have done so much to help them during this difficult time.  Anne Stewart, Rhonda Staff, JoAnne Collinsworth, and Barbara Graham.

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview,

Florida.  Memorial donations can be made in Donnie’s memory to The First Baptist Church Building Fund, 171 East Hickory Ave, Crestview, Fl 32536 or donations can be made in Donnie’s memory to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Street, Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.    

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