Obituary of David K Holland

 

David K. Holland, 77, of Toms River died Friday, July 20th surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Elizabeth, NJ and was the oldest of four children.  He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and then Officer Candidate School for the United States Marine Corps. After finishing flight school he proudly served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Captain with the Marine Corps, flying almost three hundred missions on an H-34 helicopter. David, along with his Marine Corps Squadron, the HMM-163 Ridge Runners, were photographed by the famous Vietnam War photographer, Larry Burrows, and featured in the April 16, 1965 Life Magazine. After leaving the Marine Corps he became a commercial airline captain for Pan American World Airways for over 25 years.  He relished the opportunity to traverse the globe for a living, having traveled to 6 of the 7 continents, and more countries than most people can dream of visiting in a lifetime. David was a fabulous storyteller and loved to reminisce adventures of his globetrotting experiences. He finished his career as a captain with United Airlines. When he was not flying, he loved spending time sailing and boating on the Barnegat Bay with his family.

David was predeceased by his parents; Kenneth C. Holland and Gwendolyn Holland. Surviving are his children; Sarah Dugan and her husband Thomas Dugan, Rebecca Murphy and her husband Joseph Murphy, Christopher Holland and his wife Sherri Holland; his beloved granddaughter, Samantha Dugan; his ex-wife Merrily Holland and mother to his three children; four grand-dogs; and 3 siblings: Douglas Holland, Carol Maloney, Steven Holland and his wife Karey, as well as many loved nieces and nephews.  He also leaves behind many lifelong friends who are considered family.

As per David’s wishes, a private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

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