Doug Hollis

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Doug Hollis, 85, died peacefully at home in Joplin on May 23, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

Doug was born in Mt Vernon, Illinois October 23, 1938 to the late Stanley and Florence (Reed) Hollis. After a move to California, he ended up in Osawatomie, KS, where he met the love of his life, Judy Kay Duncan. The high school sweethearts married on September 22, 1962 in Miami, OK, and had two children.

Doug graduated from Osawatomie High School in Kansas in 1957, and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University. He continued to support PSU, but he also became a supporter of Missouri Southern State University, where his children went to college. He was a Lionbacker and regularly attended football and basketball games, where he loudly cheered on the Lions.

Doug served as an airplane mechanic in the Air Force Reserve and used those skills as the head maintenance engineer at Eagle Picher Precision Products. He retired from EP after 37 years of service. 

Doug was a generous soul who was always ready to lend a hand. He was active in the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts and he was a second father to many. He loved the outdoors and traveled across the country with his family visiting national and state parks. He hiked Philmont Scout Ranch, skied in Colorado, canoed the Current River, and listened to loons in Maine.

In addition to his wife, Doug is survived by his son, Jeff Hollis, his daughter JoAnn Graffam (Jim), and his sister-in-law, Betty Duncan, all of Joplin. He also is survived by his close friends, the Kelley family, who lovingly called him Grandpa Doug. Craig and Gay Kelley and their children Jeff (Ashley), Greg (Jayde), and Madison, and great grandchildren JayLynn, Carson, and Louis.

Per his wishes, no services are planned.