John Holliday

John D. Holliday, 67, of Liberty, Kansas passed away Saturday, January 18, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family.

John was born on June 15, 1946 in Melrose Park, Illinois to Oliver M. Jr. and K. Helen Hveem Holliday. He grew up in Liberty, Kansas where he went to grade school. He received his high school education from Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville, Kansas. John earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry from Kansas State University in 1968. After completing his college degree, John proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at PleikuDaNang in Vietnam flying EC47s in 1970 and at U Tapao in Thailand flying KC135s in 1972.

On June 3, 1972 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Martha L. Bozman in Edna, Kansas. John left the Air Force in January of 1974 with an honorable discharge, having earned the rank of Captain. John and Martha returned to Liberty, Kansas where John took up farming full time. He began meticulously building up a herd of Registered Angus cattle, which, over time, grew to around 120 head. John took great pride in them. He was a member of both the American Angus Association and the Kansas Angus Association since 1974.

John was active in a number of community organizations. He was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church and Gideons International he served on the Farm Bureau Board for three terms, sat on the Rural Water District 6 Board, the Wholesale Water Board, the Liberty Township Election Board, the Drainage District Board, the Liberty Cemetery Board and the Montgomery County Fair Association. He also served as the Sexton of the Liberty Cemetery for 27 years, and was elected President of the Montgomery County Fair Association in 1988.

In addition to farming, John enjoyed history, reading, museums, zoos anything that involved animals or education. He also enjoyed planes and flying. Most of all, he loved the quality time he spent with his family and friends.

Surviving to honor his memory are his loving wife, Martha their children, Jason Holliday and wife Becky of Salina, Kansas, Mark Holliday and wife Sarah of Bel Aire, Kansas, Sarah Holliday of DeKalb, Illinois, and Karen Holliday of Hays, Kansas brother Ralph Holliday and wife Sally of Liberty, Kansas and five grandchildren, Elise Holliday, Khale Moreno, Allison Holliday, Anna Holliday and Logan John Holliday. He was preceded in death by his parents Oliver and Helen and by a halfbrother, David Holliday.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at FordWulfBruns Chapel in Coffeyville, Kansas. Reverend Bill Booe will officiate. Interment will follow at the Liberty Cemetery in Liberty, Kansas.

Friends may call on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at FordWulfBruns Chapel to sign the guest register. Family will greet friends Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Liberty United Methodist Church or to the nonprofit Honor Flight Network these may also be left with the funeral home.