Donald Holman

A lifetime on this earth of service, generosity, instruction, commitment, passion, and love came to a close on Friday afternoon July 10, 2020, with the peaceful passing of Donald Russell Holman at his home in Kalispell. It was a very typical Montana summer day with a scattering of clouds, sun, a slight breeze, and a spattering of light rain showers from time to time.

Born to the cattle ranching family of Phillip Stephen “Steve” Holman and Jessie Gertrude (Trotter) Holman on Feb. 24, 1926, at Wagner, Montana, Don joined a Holman Hereford family clan that would make an indelible mark on the Hi-Line of northern Montana stretched between the prairies and Milk River country of Wagner and Great Falls. Along with five brothers and two sisters, Don would master the art of ranching, survival and self-sufficiency at an early age, tending to cattle, machinery and all that is the makeup of a Montana ranching family. He learned to expertly operate heavy equipment in his youth, a skill that would serve him well a few years later as a combat construction specialist with Company C of the 578th Construction Engineer Battalion with the U.S. Army in Korea, where unguarded, he spent many months building and maintaining the main road and tributary routes to Pork Chop Hill — he, his dozer and a lone M1 rifle.

An adventurous spirit compelled Don to strike out on his own at the age of 16 to begin a long career of trucking: hauling cattle, horses, machinery, goods and people all over the greater USA. After serving in the Navy during World War II and, later, in the Army during the Korean conflict, Don would return to Montana to make a home in Billings. Initially renting a room in the Francis “Smitty” and Mary Smith family home, he became big brother to Barbara, Darlene and Vickie . Don would teach the girls how to drive and, of course, some shenanigans. Over his 94 years he was Uncle Don and friend to a multitude of young people, many of to whom he was not related by linage. It was in Billings that he would begin a long and illustrious career as a truck driver and bus operator for the North Pacific Transport, a division of the Northern Pacific Railroad. He would retire from the NP after 26 years of accident free driving, an accomplishment for which he was very proud.

In 1960 Don met Marcella “Sally” Hunkele Agnew, and in 1961 they married at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, North Dakota. Along with his new bride, her sons, John Agnew and Ted Agnew Jr., who tagged along, Don moved the family to Billings. Montana life agreed with them all as Don forged ahead, in his trucking career, as well as with an insightful knack for buying and selling real estate. In 1978, Don and Sally would retire to the good life sojourning between Billings and the community of Venture Out in Mesa, Arizona, for 15 years. In Arizona Don honed his skills at slow pitch softball and pool, occasionally taking a break to play golf, another game he truly enjoyed playing. In 1993 he and Sally moved to Kalispell to be closer to their grandchildren, from where they continued their travels for another 17 years to Arizona and other parts of the USA, Canada, and many parts of the world, until Sally’s death in 2010. After Sally’s passing, Don somewhat reluctantly continued going to Arizona over the winter months, but it was just not the same for him without Sally. In this life, Don would become good friends and family with so many people over the years that it would take volumes to acknowledge them here in this, his obituary, and for that the writers regret.

In 2011 Don, “Donnie” to his softball buddies, would make his last slow pitch for the team, and hang up his cleats and glove at the age of 84. Don did however; continue following the team from the dugout and bleachers until shortly before his death, offering a little bit of advice along the way.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Marcella E. “Sally” Holman; his parents, Phillip Stephen “Steve” Holman and Jessie Gertrude (Trotter) Holman; and all of his seven brothers and sisters, Vera Black, Orville Holman, Everall Holman, Doris Elrick, Carol Holman, Clifford Holman and Harvey Holman.

Don is survived by stepsons, John Agnew (Roz), and Ted Agnew Jr.; grandchildren, Keo Slemberger, Dan Agnew (Toni), Montana Agnew, and great-grandchild, Ella Agnew. He is also survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews, and those remaining members of his extended families, the Smiths, the Andrews, and the Keenes. They and many others thank you for all your love, help, generosity and dedication over your many years on this earth, and wish you Godspeed.

In lieu of flowers, donation are suggested to your local VA food pantry.

A military honors graveside service will be held at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell on Saturday, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. where Don will be laid to rest next to Sally.