Donald Burton Holley

Donald “Don” Burton Holley Jr. of Roswell, GA passed away on Thursday November 8th at age 53. Don was born in Clayton, Missouri on February 27th, 1959. When he was a child his family moved to the Lake of the Ozarks area in Camdenton, Missouri where he spent most of his childhood. In Camdenton he developed a love for swimming, boating, hunting and became an avid water skier.

Don loved sports, especially football where he achieved numerous all conference and tri-state championships. He received his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management from Missouri University Science & Technology (UMR) and his MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. In 1982 he married his college sweetheart Jean who shared his strong love for sports and moved to Chicago where he worked as an engineer and later in management for Inland Steel and then Panduit Corp.

Don’s love for sports and family were constant pillars throughout his life as he and Jean raised their three children in Chicago, encouraging them to develop personal drive, dedication and experience life’s lessons through focus and hard work. Don coached, mentored and counseled not only his children, but many who shared a desire to live life to the fullest, often leveraging sports as a major influence. He stretched people in his life to be all that they could be, living life with no regrets and leaving his family and friends with a strong, proud family legacy. Don served as the “rock” for many whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife Jean, son Nate, daughters Kara and Christa, mother Gloria and sister Denise Westhoff-Carter. He was preceded in death by his father Dr. Donald B. Holley Sr. and his sister Diane Jameson.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, November 16th, and the Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, November 17th both at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Rd., Roswell, GA 30076 with Reverend Jason Barber officiating. Burial will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery following the chapel service.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Caldwell Tree Care. Donations will be used to plant trees and park benches, honoring Don’s love for life. Caldwell Tree Care, 280 E Crossville Road, Roswell, GA 30075. (770) 992-1973