John E. Hollett III

John was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to John and Rosemary Hollett on March 14, 1937. A very proud native and lifelong resident of Indianapolis, he and his wife, Ginny spent the last four years in Carmel. John attended The Orchard School, Nora Grade School and graduated from Shortridge High School in 1955. In family tradition, Big John then followed his brother to Wabash College. Following graduation from Wabash in 1959, he entered the United States Army where he earned the rank of Sergeant prior to starting his professional career in banking at Indiana National Bank (currently JP Morgan Chase & Co.) and continuing in the US Army Reserves. John retired as Vice President from his banking career after 27 years of a very enjoyable time developing strong relationships with his colleagues and customers from the surrounding community at the corner of Illinois/Westfield/56th Street.

John and Ginny began their relationship dating at Shortridge High School, where he was a multi-time individual and team state tennis champion and an outstanding forward on many successful Shortridge Blue Devil basketball teams. John was proud to play on the second-best team in the city, behind Crispus Attucks High School, which was led by Hall of Famer and legend Oscar Robertson. John took his athletic talents to Wabash College, where he excelled in tennis and basketball and graduated in 1959. While his future wife matriculated to archrival DePauw University, John was often seen in Greencastle visiting the love of his life. John was also a dedicated member of Sigma Chi fraternity, where he made lifelong friendships. In 2014, John was inducted into the Wabash Athletics Hall of Fame.

A self-described “momma’s boy,” Johnny was close with his parents, both of whom passed away far too early in John’s adult life. He was also a fierce competitor, having grown up in serious sports competitions with his brother and friends and later during tennis, ping pong and games of horse contests with his sons. While the friendliest and most loyal guy in town, he most assuredly wanted to win every competition, regardless of his opponent. John never met a stranger he didn’t like, and he enjoyed entertaining his family, friends, customers and nearly anyone around him with his humor and friendly smile. One of his strongest virtues was his respect for others, including elders and authority, which drew him very close to his teachers, coaches and professionals looking out for his best interests. John was a loving grandfather, who was visible at his grandchildren’s sporting events, ballet and piano recitals and often a contributor to their sugar highs and sleepless nights.

John and Ginny married in Indianapolis during the summer of 1960, after which they quickly raised a family of three. John was a very active and present father, as he never missed any of his kids’ events. John was a tremendous coach of his children's teams, which was also his opportunity to impart his deep knowledge of basketball and baseball with teammates of his children on their teams at the Jordan YMCA and First Baptist Church. While an original season ticket holder of the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts, John was most passionate about the San Francisco Giants and following tennis. Ginny and John traveled to many professional tennis championships to see many of the top professionals in the 1970’s through early 1990’s and their enjoyment continued through last week. John’s friends rarely talk of him without noting his encyclopedic mind of sports trivia and statistics. His love for baseball led him to become a spring training season ticket holder of the SF Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona.

John leaves behind: his wife of nearly 64 years, Ginny Hollett; his son, Bill Hollett (Amy) of Marietta, Georgia; his son, John Hollett (Gretchen) of Seattle, Washington; his daughter, Kathy Hollett of Indianapolis; and eight grandchildren, Sara, Annie, Kate, Lauren, Timmy, Cory, Emma and Mia. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Rosemary Hollett; his brother, Tom Hollett; and his best friend, Doug Robinson; who will welcome John into their loving arms.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, March 8th, from 10:00-11:00 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with a Celebration of Life service immediately following at 11:00 am. For those who wish to make a contribution in memory of John E. Hollett, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana (https://mealsonwheelsindy.org/), St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (https://www.stpaulsindy.org/) or Wabash College (https://www.wabash.edu/giving/home).

John’s family is most thankful for the staff at Marquette Health Center, which cared for John and filled a jolly man full of love and laughter.