Dr. Kenneth Holladay
Share
Funeral services for Dr. Kenneth Holladay, 89, Eudora, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Eudora Baptist Church in Eudora. Burial will follow in Eudora Cemetery, Eudora, KS. The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary – Eudora Chapel. Kenneth passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at his home.
Kenneth Holladay (known as ‘Doc’ Holladay) knew beyond any doubt he wanted to be a doctor by the age of 5. He felt this was an inspiration that could’ve only come from God. He grew up in North Lawrence as an official “Sand Rat.” His father, Gilbert Holladay, worked at the Reuter Organ Company and helped him through college. He also expressed deep gratitude for his loving Uncle who supported him attending medical school. He often spoke of the importance of his Mom and Step Dad, Nora & Edwin Lyons and his brothers Dean and Clay in creating a family of love and a strong religious faith. His strong faith in God remained constant throughout his life..
He started school at the age of 3 at the local one room Elementary White School. He later attended Woodlawn Elementary and eventually graduated in 1951 from Lawrence High School. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kansas. He worked hard throughout his life. As a child he sold Cloverine Salve, for which he received his first Kodak box camera and an inflatable football. He delivered milk products, picked potatoes for Kaw Valley area farmers, and manually set up bowling pins at the Paladium Bowling Alley . From high school through college, he worked at the Lawrence Dairy Queen. In 1954, he entered the University of Kansas Medical School.
One Sunday morning in 1953 at the First Baptist Church, he met Elisabeth, the only love of his life. They were engaged for two years while Ken finished medical school. During most of this engagement, they lived many states apart, writing hundreds of love letters along the way. After their marriage at the Danforth Chapel at KU in 1956, they lived in a tiny cramped trailer with their first son, David while he finished medical school.
Ken was in the U.S Air Force for two years as a physician at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Before coming to his Eudora office in 1961, Eudora had had 12 doctors in the prior 15 years. He credited pharmacist Alf Oleson for encouraging him to open his medical practice office in Eudora. Later, he was fortunate to work closely with pharmacist Stan Byrne. He was proud to have delivered over 1,400 babies during his practice.
He was a past member of several organizations and churches including; Eudora School Board, Eudora Nursing Home and the Eudora Baptist Church. He and Elisabeth loved America’s National Parks and tent camping with their children. He retired in 2004 after 43 years of practice. He and Elisabeth began traveling around the world, visiting over 50 countries. He loved white-water rafting and made two paddle trips down the Grand Canyon with his sons and friends. He was a dedicated, loving father and grandfather-when he and Elisabeth were not on an adventure, they were visiting their children and grandchildren.
He treasured time with his family, caring for his patients, playing Scrabble, completing crossword puzzles and holding hands with his wife. Experiencing roller coasters, waterfalls and rainbows were also special moments in life. He did a lot of good in his life and made the world a better place. He will live on in the hearts of minds of those he left behind. He was a kind gentle soul that loved and cared deeply for his wife, children, grandchildren and a great grandchild, along with all his patients and the Eudora community. He is survived by his wife, Elisabeth, a native of Switzerland and four children: David, Kevin, Matthias, and Thais. He is also survived by his siblings, Donna, Dean, Christine, Clay and eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made in Kenneth’s name to Eudora Parks and Recreation Foundation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
God gained an angel. Prayers to the family.
Prayers to Doc’s family and friends.
He was a great man and full of wisdom when I would bump into him or see him in his office.
RIP Doc , see you on the other side.
To David, your brother & sister; I am so sorry for your loss. You were so blessed go have him and I know, like the rest of us, you’ll have many wonderful memories. Your Dad was such a good person for this small town. Sending you all my heartfelt love. Debbie Burchett Carden
Ken was a great guy! A knowing and compassionate physician, friend to all and a great thinker. Ken was here when Greg Schnose came to Lawrence, giving us a great deal of needed advice. I would see him in the office over the years. We spent a good deal of time talking about life and some medicine. I was proud to say that I was his physician! Goodbye old friend! Jerry Pees
Such an amazing man. God Speed Doc!
What an amazing individual. May he rest in peace. God speed Dr. Holliday.
He always had a smile on his face, such a pleasant soul. Rest in Peace Dr Holladay. Very sorry for his family.
I am so sorry to hear this.
Doc … thank you, for all you have given us and all you have done for our families. You are truly “One of a Kind”!! You’ll be missed by all. Rest in peace Doc,
God Speed.
Dr Holladay who delivered two of my kids was a great doctor! Rest In Peace ! My condolences toe the family!
Dr. Holladay was surely one of the good ones. He was knowledgeable as a doctor but his knowledge always contained empathy. I am so happy he was my doctor when I lived in Eudora. He was my mother’s doctor until his retirement and she appreciated him as a doctor and friend. He always made the time. He was unique, special. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
To Mrs. Holladay, David, and family, sorry for your loss
Eli
A beautiful man/doctor. Eudora has been blessed by his service. Love to all.
Doc Holiday, you sir are a legend
I can’t remember a school function without you there. You delivered my baby sister and I had the pleasure of working for you. My deepest sympathy for the family. God speed and rest gently Doc Holiday.
Condolences to the Holladay family. Doc Holladay delivered our 3 babies and was our family physician. He was a genuinely caring person; always a smile on his face. He is legendary; they don’t make doctors like him anymore.
Thank you everyone for those wonderful memories & you good wishes! He loved the people of Eudora & he made the world a better place. He lives on in the lives of those that he touched. Come celebrate his life & share your memories at the service !
Thank you everyone as well for sharing your memories of my Dad! He indeed loved his patients and being part of the Eudora community. I hope I can hear more from you all as we celebrate his life with tears and smiles at the service. I am very grateful to all of his patients and Eudorans for supporting him and our family for so many years.
My deepest sympathy to the Holiday family, He was our Doctor for many years. He was a wonderful guy!! I will never forget the time he mistook my husband for my Dad!! We had a great laugh over that. I will miss Doc, as he was one of the best Doctors!!!
My deepest condolences to the Holladay family. Doc was truly one of a kind! We don’t have Doctors like him anymore. I ran into him at a Christmas service and thanked him for his incredible service to the people of Eudora. I am thankful for that opportunity! Prayers of peace and comfort for the family. May he rest in eternal peace with his Creator.
I remember Dr. Holladay making housecalls to our home in De Soto when my Grandfather was dying from cancer in 1968. He taught my Mom how to give injections, turn, bathe, and make him comfortable in his last days. It was Grandpa’s wish not to die in the hospital. Dr. Holladay came on his day off and sometimes brought his little daughter with him. There was no such thing as “hospice” back then but they improvised and Grandpa died peacefully in our home several months after his diagnosis. I will never forget the kindness and care he provided to our family until his retirement. Our deepest condolences to the Holladay family. How lucky Eudora and the surrounding communities were to have such a great doctor and friend.
Doc Holladay was a very caring, empathetic man. I was diagnosed with accute appendicitis which was on the verge of bursting. He was not my doctor but the parent of one of my friends while I was in college. I was in the prep room at the hospital getting ready for surgery and he just happened to stop by and basically calmed my nerves right before the procedure. I will always be thankful to him for this. Rest in peace Doc.
Doc Holladay is my second cousin. My grandmother Owens and his mother are sisters. Ken worked at the Dairy Queen on Massachusetts St when he was a student at KU. My parents would take my brother and me to Dairy Queen when he was working. The large ice cream cone cost 25 cents! He was a hard worker, kind person and excellent doctor. Our thoughts and prayers are with all his family.
So glad to have had such a great doctor for many years. He was also a good friend 🧡. Prayers for the family.
To the Holladay Family. So sorry for your loss. Doctor Holladay will be missed. such a great Doctor and a wonderful man.Paula Guffey and Family.
Dr. Holladay was the BEST Dr. ever!!! He delivered all 3 of our children and cared deeply about his patients. When I was getting ready to deliver our first son, he came in eating popcorn and jumped right in to watch racing on TV with my husband-a memory I’ll cherish forever:) My husband & I enjoyed running into him at Kwik Shop after he retired to catch up on all of his travels. RIP Doc, and many hugs and prayers to his family during this time.
My first job as a physician was in Ken’s office. There could not have been a more welcoming and kind person to partner with. He was a quintessential family practice doc and I was very privilege to have known and worked with him. Elisabeth also made me feel welcomed and cared for. My special condolences go out to her.
Dr. Holladay was a wonderful doctor and while I didn’t enjoy all of the weekly allergy shots, he was always so kind and the sparkly pencils he had for kids helped ease the pain. He was gentle and easy to talk to. I’m so thankful Eudora had such a wonderful physician during all those years. I’m praying for you all as you grieve this great loss. The obituary is beautiful. Romans 8:39
He was always a blessing to us!!! He even knew exactly what was wrong with me when the emergency room thought it was not that extreme. Had a blood clot that was breaking off and traveling up through the heart. He got me right back to the hospital- thankful it hadn’t gotten to the lungs! He cared about people, so of course he cared about his patients!!! I’m sure our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, celebrated getting him HOME. Have been keeping family in prayer. We thank his family here, for allowing him to work his “doctor hours!”
Dr, Holladay is a Eudora icon. He was part of the lives to so many people. From pregnancy, through birth, broken bones, stitches and even during end of life counsel, he was always there for us, just a phone call away. In an emergency, he would send you to the ER and meet you there. That doesn’t happen anymore. If you saw him at a community function, he would ask about members of your family by name. Truely a family doctor like we rarely have today. RIP Dr, Holladay, You made a difference.
He was a Great Doctor and Friend to All who really knew him. All My Love and Prayers to all His Family and Loved Ones. God Got a Wonderful Person to Be with Him in Heaven. He will be greatly missed by many. Love You “Doc.” Holiday.
I am So Sorry my spell check changed his last name.
What a wonderful doctor he was! So very kind and gentle. He delivered my 2 oldest children and always took great care of us. He will be missed.
We are so sad to hear of your dad’s passing. I remember him coming to our house when my mom got sick. There are no house calls in todays world. You are all in our prayers. He will be greatly missed.
I am sorry for your loss. He indeed was a great friend and doctor with such a gentle soul. He was so generous and kind to all our family. I have lots of memories of your family as our neighbors and friends.
Kevin & Family,
So sorry for your family’s loss. Your father was a wonderful person . Most of all a great Doctor . He will be truly missed
A kind and thoughtful man! One who made a difference in our community. Thoughts and prayers for the entire family.
My deepest condolences. He was an amazing person. He was our family physician when I moved to Eudora in 1989. He delivered my daughter in 1990. What I remember were his kind words, “All your baby needs is your love.” He was one of the best and cared so much for his patients and community. He definitely inspired me to seek a career in healthcare.
I was saddened to hear of Doc Holliday’s passing. He was a great and caring man. I have lots of fond memories of chatting with him at the CPA. I’m sorry for your loss.