Terry Walt Hollon

Terry Walt Hollon passed away peacefully at home in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Monday, May 4th, 2026 at 4:38 p.m.

Terry was born in Lexington, Kentucky on May 24th, 1947 to the late Walt Whitman Hollon and Betty Jo Daves Hollon. His father was a basketball player and graduate of the University of Kentucky. Terry was probably the only 4 year old to recognize Coach Bear Bryant after a Wild Cat football game, running up to him and scrambling into his arms for a hug from the “Bear”.

After moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Terry graduated from Walter F. George High School where he was a varsity letterman in baseball, basketball, and football, playing centerfield and defensive tackle. He loved music of all kinds, especially blues; something he passed down to his son later in life. The first vinyl record he ever purchased was “Jimmy Reed: Live at Carnegie Hall” with pocket money he saved. A natural leader, he was captain of each sports team he played on, as well as various school organizations.

After graduating from high school, Terry attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro to play baseball. There he would meet his future wife, Patricia, at a street dance led by Otis Redding and the Bar-Kays. After being turned down several times that evening, he finally convinced Trish to let him take her on a date. The rest is history.

Terry graduated in 1969 with a Bachelors of Science in Education followed by a Master’s of Education degree as well as an EDS degree in school psychology. He was drafted into the United States Army between this time, completing basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC.

Terry and Trish were married on December 20th, 1970 in Atlanta, Georgia. Following the wedding, they drove across the country in a 1966 sea foam green Mustang to Oakland, California where Terry was stationed at Oakland Army Base (OAB). Something everyone should try after becoming newly weds, says Terry.

After completing military service, Terry returned to Statesboro to complete his Master’s degree from Georgia Southern. He and Trish then moved to Spartanburg, SC to start careers in education. Terry was a director with the Charles Lea Center and then became a school psychologist for Spartanburg District Six. There, he instituted the first gifted student program for the entire district.

Terry started a 44 year long career in Executive Consulting in 1982. He went on to lead many large teams of consultants with different companies across the country; working with various clients such as Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and BMW. Most recently he was operating his own consulting group, Hollon & Associates.

Terry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Coffee Hollon; his son, Terence Bradford Hollon (Madeline) of Columbia, SC; sister, Janet Daves Hollon of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Donna Carmichael; as well as special nieces and nephews. Terry was a loving husband and devoted, supportive father, uncle, and brother. Music and athletics were both things he passed on and enjoyed with his son; helping coach every little league and travel ball team up until high school.

He loved history of all kinds, to laugh and have fun even at his own expense at times. Story jokes were his favorite form of comedy, even if they didn’t always land. He enjoyed playing golf and racquetball with his buddies at the Spartanburg Racquet Club for many years. His intelligence and matter of fact nature were always there to help in different ways. After all, it was his calling in life.

The family will have a private memorial service at a later date.