James Eric Holloway

James Eric Holloway, 46, passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 24, 2025 in Akron, Ohio.

He was born December 21, 1978 in Dalton, Georgia to a young Penny Ogborn and Paul Newman. Penny, wanting him to have a better opportunity in life, gave him up for adoption; he was adopted by Jim and Marilyn Holloway at one day old; their early Christmas present. He was thrilled to have reconnected with Penny and his large family in St. Louis later in life. He was the spark and light of Jim and Marilyn’s lives.

He grew up in Stow and eventually Kent, making lifelong friends and connections with seemingly everyone. He always knew a guy who knew a guy. Eric lived a full life despite it being cut short. He was a true storyteller, having a real gift for drawing the attention of a crowd and making anyone laugh. His long arms would soar through the air, his eyes would light up, his booming voice would rise and fall with Shakespearean cadence over a story so simple as what he had for lunch that day. He was an avid singer: a member of his high school choir and occasional midnight shower concert-giver. He dabbled in painting, often watching The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross with his daughters for inspiration. He was also an avid cook and master of the grill.

He was a young father, and took to it like a duck to water. He knew exactly how to calm his fussy firstborn: with the sounds of Led Zeppelin and hushed lullabies on late night drives around the block. His second born would fill the house with laughter and squealing at his antics that could snap any toddler out of a tantrum. As his girls got older, he coached t-ball teams, drove to cheerleading events, attended band concerts, softball games, and stage productions, and fostered a love for music, the arts, and good video games in his daughters.

He was a Navy veteran, through which he became a world traveler, visiting India, Hong Kong, and Dubai and crossing the equator onboard the USS Nimitz. He remembered his time in the

service and friendships fondly. He would also treat his family to the yearly “Veteran’s Day Feast and Festivities”, going to every establishment he could think of to claim his “rightful reward” of free bloomin’ onions, zoo tickets, and more for his service.

He was a devoted sailor, husband, father, son, and friend. He would give anyone the shirt off his back. He was also a complicated person with a complicated illness that many would try to help him with over the years. However, it was only his cross to bear and unfortunately ended up being what took his life.

Eric is survived by his daughters that he adored: Brynn and Teagan Holloway, ex-wife Lisa Holloway, mothers Marilyn Holloway and Penny (Phil) Ogborn-Conner, sister Darlene Millard, brother Jimmy Conner, ex-mother-in-law Cindy Herr (Mike Adams), ex-sister-in-law Laura Herr, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a friend to the world and as such had too many to list here; he however was lucky to have a group of friends that were as

close as family that he called his “brothers”, and his girls are so thankful to have grown up surrounded by many loving “uncles”. He was preceded in death by his father, James Edward Holloway, sister Jeannette Driver, grandparents Harold and June McElroy, James Emmit and Velma Holloway, and Bill and Betty Ogborn, aunt Pat Tracy, uncles Joe McElroy, Virgil and

Doyle Holloway, and Steve Ogborn, his beloved dogs Ronin, Peyton, and Vivian, and too many friends gone too soon.

He will be missed by all who knew him for the rest of their lives. The world is certainly a little quieter and duller without him in it.

The family asks that, if possible, donations can be made to Freedom House, Miller House, and Kent Social Services, all located in Kent, Ohio. Eric loved and treasured his Kent community, and we feel that giving back is the best way to honor his memory.