Holloway, Thomas Kermit age 63, died Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at University of Wisconsin Hospital's Palliative Care Unit. Tom was born July 13, 1949 in Robbinsdale, MN, the son of Kermit "Bob" and Geneva (Henrickson) Holloway. Tom's entire career was spent at the Minnesota Zoo, where he built and repaired animal habitats. Tom served his country during the Viet Nam war as an aircraft mechanic in the Navy air squadron aboard the USS Constellation. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and by his wife Sandra in 1972. Tom was deeply impacted by the deaths of his big brother "Bobby" in 1956; and his best friend and Navy Buddy, John Maas in 1970. Tom is survived by his wife, Roberta Sladky; his children, Tara (Tony) Pace, Kelsey Holloway and Brad Holloway; and their mother, Jean Brown; and by his grandsons, Benjamin and Zachary Pace. Tom loved his Wisconsin log home that he shared with Roberta near Mount Horeb, and his four-legged companions, Beau, Benny, Hitchcock, all deceased, and his new dog, James. Thank you to the physicians, nurses and staff of UW Health who took care of Tom through many health crises in the last four years, especially Hepatology and Transplant, Neurosurgery and Palliative Care. A Celebration of Tom's life will be held at the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center, Door I, 8055 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, on Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm, with a service at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to the charity of your choice . Cress Funeral & Cremation Service Madison, Wisconsin Please Share A Memory At www.CressFuneralService.com
Published in Star Tribune on November 30, 2012