Col. Carlos Hollifield

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Colonel Carlos Ray Hollifield, USMC (Ret) at the age of 74, on August 7, 2026. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, friend, and found no greater joy than in his title of Papaw or PopPop. He was also a retired United States Marine Corps Colonel and was proud to serve his country for 31 years.

Carlos was born on June 12, 1952, in Morristown, TN to Gladys, "Gerald," and Charles, "Charlie," Hollifield. He graduated from Morristown West High School in 1970. He continued his education and graduated from Lees-McRae College in 1972, East Tennessee State University in 1974, and received his master’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1983.

Upon graduating from college in 1974, Carlos joined the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. As a young communications officer he served with a Marine reconnaissance unit, then early in his career he transferred to the military police field working in numerous military police billets. He served in Operation Desert Storm deploying to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He later commanded a Combat Service Support unit; and as a Colonel he commanded the Marine Corps’ Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF). His personal decorations include Legion of Merit Medal (third award), Meritorious Service Medal (fifth award), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (second award), and a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He earned both his Navy/Marine Corps parachutist wings and scuba diving insignia. Carlos was a graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps, he continued to work in security and consulting at Y12 for a number of years. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, driving his 1966 Mustang, tending to his land, playing puzzles and games, hiking in the mountains of East Tennessee, and spending time with his family, friends, and his beloved dog, Tyson. He was a devoted Tennessee Volunteers and East Carolina Pirates fan. He never missed an opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren and loved on them and spoiled them endlessly. He was a proud member of the Beaver Ridge Masonic Lodge #366 and The Royal Order of the Jesters Knoxville Court #57. He was known for his friendly and generous spirit and will be missed tremendously by all that knew him.

Carlos is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Peggy "Sherri" Hollifield; his children Jacob (Kim) Hollifield and Amy (Spenser) Tipton; his grandchildren Eliza Hollifield, Shepherd Tipton, Sullivan Tipton, Piper Tipton, and baby boy Hollifield due this Fall; his sister Donna Hayes; brother-in-law Gary (Kelly) Cobb; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He is preceded in his death by his parents Charles and Gladys Hollifield; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert and Cora Belle Cobb; his brother-in-law Terry Cobb.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday August 12, 2026, at Weaver Funeral Home with service to follow. Close family and friends will meet at 11:00 am on August 13, 2026, at Solway Church of God, 3317 Solway Rd. Knoxville, TN 37931.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to K9 for Warriors (https://k9sforwarriors.org/) the nation’s leading provider of trained Service Dogs to Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military trauma, or another charitable organization of your choosing.