Michael William "Doc" Holliday, 74, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at St. Anthony's Hospice Lucy Smith King Care Center with his family at his side.

Born December 5, 1946, to the late Marijohn and T.R. "Shag" Holliday in Henderson, Kentucky, Mike's idyllic childhood revolved around his young postwar family and his father's home construction business.  He and his younger brother, Mark, moved often into houses in the subdivisions which "Shag" built.  Mike played Little League Baseball and Babe Ruth League Baseball and was named to the all-star team in both leagues.  Riding bikes, playing in the woods, sneaking into the Starlight Drive-in, and helping his dad clean up construction sites took up those halcyon days.  With his friends he learned to play tennis from "Doc" Hosbach and danced at the YMCA under dance instructor Ms. Freida.  Mike often spent weekends on the river boating with family and friends.  As a freshman, he found passion and skill for football.  He played all four years for James "Mojo" Hollowell and was named All Big 8 quarterback.  Mike graduated from Henderson County High School in 1964 and headed for Texas to play college football.

In the fall of 1964, Mike attended Kilgore Junior College in Kilgore, Texas, on a football scholarship and there the fans called him the "Kentucky Long Rifle" for his passing accuracy.  Transferring to U.T. Martin in his sophomore year of playing, he suffered several concussions which brought his college football career to an end.  After a final move, Mike graduated from Murray State University in 1969.  In late 1969, he took a teaching and football coaching position in the Henderson County School System.  In addition, he launched a successful wrestling program at the high school.

In 1971, Mike joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve and served six months active duty at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  He returned to Evansville, Indiana, to serve the remaining six years of military duty and was honorably discharged in 1977.

In 1977, he and his brother, Mark, opened a bar and disco called "Doc" Holliday's Saloon (now Rookies).  Mark was injured in a boating accident, and Mike continued to operate Doc's until he opened the Sugar Creek Inn in 1985 with partners.  While managing the Sugar Creek Inn, Mike met the love of his life, Jo Cates.  They married in 1990 and ran the Sugar Creek Inn until it was sold in 1998.  After that, Mike went into the family real estate business.  He and Mark managed over 80 rental properties for the Holliday family until Mark passed away, after which Mike continued to run the business with Jo and his daughter, Leslie, until recently.

"Doc" Holliday loved music from an early age.  When you rode in a car with him, the radio was always on and he was singing.  He was never ashamed of his voice; however, truth be told, he needed the help of his friends to blend in.  "Doc's" real skill was in memorizing lyrics, a skill which stayed with him until the end.  If you named a popular song from the 50s or 60s, he knew all the words.  Just two weeks ago, Mike sang every word of the Roger Miller song, "Dang Me" and the entire show tune "Camelot."

"Doc" Holliday had a great sense of humor.  He told silly jokes, constructed puns, and basically entertained his friends constantly.  How many times did he ask his friends if they knew what polyethylene spelled backwards was?  For fifty years he asked that.  He would laugh and say some word that sounded like enelyhtylop.  Silly, yes, but it was pure "Doc" Holliday.  In addition to all that, he was a master of the practical joke.  He would plot an intricate joke on one of his friends and would succeed in pulling it off with such precision that the person who was the object of the prank never knew what hit him.  Some of these pranks were the stuff of legends.

Golf became his principal recreational activity later in life.  Playing the game with Mike Holliday was more than playing a regular game of golf; it was golf plus his brand of entertainment, including pranks, jokes, and plenty of laughter.  Golf outings and trips, especially to Florida, became an important part of his life.

Finally, Mike was a loving father to his three daughters, Leslie, Mary Ellen, Libby and his son, Tyler.  He was a protective, fun, and caring father who clearly adored his children.  His infectious sense of humor was always present, not only with his wife and children but with everyone he knew.  Jo's favorite thing that Mike often said to her as the sun rose was this precious statement:  "I woke up in love this morning."  Mike "Doc" Holliday was a man of conviction, a man of integrity, a person who truly loved his wife, Jo, his family, and his many friends.  He was a true gift to the people in his life.  He never complained during his seven-year battle with cancer.  In the end, he said he was grateful that he was given this much time, and he wasn't going to waste his time on sadness with his beloved wife and children...and he didn't.  The words of Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas aptly describe "Doc's" fiery energy to live, a small way to triumph over something that, in the end, he could not control:

"Do not not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

He fought the good fight that we all hope we can be brave enough to fight.  Finally, his beloved wife, Jo, gave him the ultimate compliment:  "He was the sweetest man..."

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his brother, Mark Holliday.

Michael is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jo Cates Holliday, the love of his life; his adoring children and grandchildren:  Leslie Abbott and her husband, Charles "Dino," and their children, Madison, John, Grant, and Reagan Abbott; Mary Ellen Holliday and her child, Harper Scott; Libby Joyner and her husband, Randy, and their children, Trey and Charlie Joyner; and Tyler Holliday; beloved uncle, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.  Father J. Edward Bradley and Father Larry McBride will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Louis Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Hospice.

Pallbearers will be Chad Holliday, John Abbott, Grant Abbott, Mike Kemp, Beau Hite, and Wes Bugg.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harper Scott, Trey Joyner, and Charlie Joyner.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com .