Curtis Edward Holley

.Curtis Edward Holley, age 72, lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, August 6, 2015 in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Curt was a long time resident of Wasilla, Alaska. He was born in Martinsville, December 13, 1943 to Grady and Verlie Stanley Holley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Robin Morris Holley.

His love of speed started as a child growing up listening to the sounds of the Martinsville, Virginia NASCAR speedway from his bedroom window. He graduated in 1961 from Martinsville High School and praised his choir director, Ms. Ruth Pace, for being a remarkable influence on his life. Curt’s service in the US Navy introduced him to his first taste of aviation. While in the Navy, Curtis assisted in retrieving astronauts returning from an Apollo mission.

Curt graduated from Northrup Institute of Technology in Inglewood, California in 1967, thus launching his career in aviation.

Curt’s illustrious and successful career in aviation covered decades. He flew commercially as a fire bomber, a bush pilot, and helped to build the Alaska pipeline. He was a pilot with Alaska Airlines.

United Airlines then took him under their wings, trusting him with Boeing 737sp’s, 767sp’s and Douglas DC-10’s. Curt received accolades throughout his years with United, retiring as a Captain only when the mandatory age limitation was reached.

A true aviator, flying was the passion of his life both as a vocation and an avocation. He owned several planes and boats, enjoying time in the air and on the water. Always in motion, he enjoyed the spirit of independence provided by the Alaska lifestyle and his job with United Airlines.

After winning the Alaska State Championship for stock car racing two years in a row, he was featured on the cover of Stock Car Racing magazine.

Curt lived a good and adventurous life. He and Robin lived in Alaska for many years. The Palins were neighbors in Wasilla. Todd Palin is said to have eagerly bought one of Curt’s Cessna 185 float planes. Curt also maintained a residence in San Francisco as the home base for his flights into the Orient and beyond. A good storyteller, he could hold a listener spellbound with tales of his world travels and escapades.

He is survived by a sister, Gloria Bryan of Maryland and a nephew, a great niece and various cousins and family members in Virginia as well as friends around the country and the globe.

A visitation will be held Monday, August 17, 2015 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at McKee-Stone Funeral Home with interment to follow in Roselawn Burial Park.

Flowers are acceptable or memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society,

P. O. Box 3907, Martinsville, VA 24115.

To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.

.