Thomas "Tommy" R Holloway

Tommy was born in Bartow, Florida on September 24, 1974, and raised by his grandparents in Bartow and surrounding areas. Tommy lived in Plant City, Florida, for the last 20+ years with his loving “partner-in-crime” (wife) Kristen and daughter Kaitlyn. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Fay Holloway, and mother-in-law Karen Sorensen (Al). He is also survived by his brother (in-law) Charles “Chip” Sorensen (Suzanne), mother Jane (David), sister Faye (Wes), aunts, cousins, 2 cat children (Leo and Bernie), and other “chosen family” friends, including the Polk State College nursing lab family (where he worked since 2010). He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him well.

A memorial service will take place at Wells Memorial and Event Center in Plant City, FL, on November 2 at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Tommy Holloway Memorial Scholarship through the Polk State College Foundation, so his legacy of supporting PSC nursing students can continue.

Tommy met the love of his life through Yahoo personals in 1999, and to say they were meant to be is an understatement. First, he was talking to a friend of hers (who said, he’s more your type than mine). Then, their first date was to meet in Lakeland at Bennigan’s “by the highway” but, as everyone knows, they each went to different locations, and “the rest is history”. Tommy and Kristen celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on the 21st of October.

Tommy and Kristen wanted to wait a couple of years to have children but that plan backfired as they had found out they were pregnant with Kaitlyn 2 months after they married. Kaitlyn was Tommy’s pride and joy as they had “daddy-daughter dates.” They were 2 “peas in a pod” filled with love, affection, and a dose of stubbornness in their relationship, each driving the other crazy, but never doubting their love and bond.

Tommy started his career in nursing in 1998 as an LPN at Lakeland Regional Health in mental health. Since 2010, he worked at Polk State College in the nursing skills lab and eventually became the Coordinator of Clinical Education in 2021. The nursing students affectionately referred to him as “Tommy the Tutor.” He truly embodied being a Polk State Eagle as an alumnus (ASN/RN ’08 and BSN ’20) and will be remembered as a kind, patient nurse and advocate for the program. Even though he did not think he made an impact on the students and faculty of PSC, all one would have to do was listen to those who worked with him to know differently.

Tommy leaves behind a legacy of laughter, goofiness, dad jokes, kindness, and generosity and will always be remembered for being a big teddy bear with an ever-present smile. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Holloway family.