Gary Dean Holly

Gary Dean Holly, age 87, of Apex, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 20. 

He was the son of Lester Robert Holly and Eva Eastman Holly. Gary was born in Waukon, Iowa on March 19, 1938. He grew up in Monona, Iowa where his father Les managed the Monona Lumber Company. Gary graduated from Monona High School in 1956. His interest in construction led him to Iowa State College to major in Civil Engineering. Following graduation Gary was employed by the US Bureau of Public Roads (currently Federal Highway Administration). Gary worked at multiple locations during his career including San Francisco, California, Springfield, Illinois, Ames, Iowa, Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Hartford, Connecticut, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

He received his Master of Science Degree from the University of Illinois in 1967. Gary was instrumental in the development of many interstate highways and was the structural engineer on site when Interstate 80 was built over the Mississippi River. Later in his career he specialized in environmental impact statements. He retired from the Federal Highway Administration in 1993.

While working in Washington DC he met a special person, Gloris Terry King, the head registered nurse at Walter Reed Hospital. They married in September 1965. On November 4, 1966 they welcomed their first special joy, Constance Joy Holly. Three years later they would welcome their second special joy, Christa Eva Holly. During Gary’s employment in Hartford, Connecticut, the Lord had a special place for Gloris and called her home on February 16,1977 after a seven-month-long battle with cancer.

Gary and his daughters followed his career path and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1977. Gary later met another special person, Mary (Peggy) Cartwright Sharber and they were married on December 26, 1981.

As construction and woodworking were his passion, Gary enjoyed building their new house in western Wake County. In addition, his hobbies included clock building, model railroading, landscaping, and genealogy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Norma Jean Holly (in infancy), and brother Clifford Allen Holly (in Korea in 1953).

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Peggy Cartwright Holly, his two daughters Constance (Connie) Holly Parks, and her husband Mike Parks of Sylva, North Carolina; Christa Eva Holly Barnett and her husband John Barnett, of Delaware, Ohio; stepson David Sharber and his wife Sally Sharber of Elizabeth City, North Carolina; and sister Bonnie Holly, of Cedar Rapids. His legacy includes grandchildren Taylor Parks, Craig Barnett, Carter Barnett, Jacob Barnett, Caleb Barnett, great-granddaughter Autumn Barnett, and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

The service was 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Apex United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Apex United Methodist Church, 100 South Hughes Street, Apex, North Carolina, 27502.