- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1923
- Date Of Death: February 27, 2012
- State: Georgia
Joseph Gray Hollis, Jr., age 88, of Newnan, passed away on February 27, 2012. A native Coweta County citizen, he was born September 6, 1923 to the late Joseph Gray Hollis, Sr. and Isaac Powell Hollis.
He attended Newnan High School; graduating in 1940 and furthered his education at Georgia Tech where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. “Mr. Joe” was the personification of the young Americans who came to be identified as “The Greatest Generation” in the writings of Tom Brokaw. These young Americans came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America. This generation was united not only by a common purpose, but also by common values–duty, honor, economy, courage and service, love of family and country, and, above all, responsibility for oneself.
Joe served in the United States Navy from July 1, 1943 to June 23, 1946 and was on the USS Essex Aircraft Carrier during the years 1943 – 1946. Upon returning home from the war, he became the devoted husband of Katie Glenn Arnall – a marriage that lasted 65 years until her death in 2011. After returning to Newnan, he extended his public service by serving on the Newnan City Council. In 1959 he took over as President of the family owned Johnson Hardware Company and remained there until his retirement in 1991. During these years, he also served on the Board of Directors of Mobile Gas and Energy South, Inc. from December 11, 1959 to January 28, 2000. Additionally, he was on the board of C&S Bank and Coweta General Hospital.
He was a founding member of The Jolly Boys in 1948. Joe’s great pastime sport was his love of golf. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather. In addition to his parents and wife, he is predeceased by his son Joseph Gray Hollis III in 1986 and his sister Sara Gray Hollis Cole.
He is survived by his daughters, Sallie (Jimmy) Mann, Glenn (Hunt) Fulwiler, Frances (Mike) Oven and Isaac (Kevin) Linsey. There are 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother James P. “Slugger” Hollis, Joyce Hollis and his sister-in-law Lucy A. Colvin. Mr. Hollis’ caregivers have been a special part of his life and his family acknowledges Janet, Doris, Martha Nell, Penny, Shelia, Virginia and Pam for their exceptional assistance during his illness.
