Jackie Paul (Jack) Hollingsworth September 1, 1934 – August 15, 2019
Faithful follower of Jesus Christ, devoted husband, loving stepfather and gentle soul, Jack Hollingsworth, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on August 15, 2019. He was eagerly awaited by his wife of almost 56 years, Loretta, his stepson, Dr. Stan Toler, and numerous family members and friends. Jack was born September 1, 1934 in the family home on Goose Creek Hollow in Olive Hill, Kentucky, to James Marion and Bertha Mae Roark Hollingsworth. His father died in the coal mines when Jack was 3 and he was raised by his stepfather, Luther Kiser, a truck driver and coal miner, from the age of 6.
Jack moved to Ohio in his late teens and worked in auto parts manufacturing, retiring after 30 years of employment at Columbus Auto Parts. He also served for six years in the Army Reserves. On March 3, 1960 he dedicated his life to Christ at the 5 th Avenue Pilgrim Holiness Church in Columbus, Ohio. He went to a revival at the invitation of his sister, Ottilee. He was hopeful that his brother-in-law, Denzel, Ottilee's husband, would get saved, but, in Jack's words, "The Lord said, 'This is for YOU!'" Later, at the church, Jack met a beautiful young widow named Loretta Toler, and they were married on March 25, 1963. Jack instantly became the father of three young, very active boys; Stan, Terry and Mark. He patiently and graciously raised them with love and never-ending kindness and in time the boys all called him Dad.
In 2010, Jack and Loretta relocated from Ohio to Yukon, Oklahoma, to be near their family. They were devoted members of Edmond First Church of the Nazarene, where their son, Mark, served as their pastor.
Jack never lost his love of Kentucky Wildcat basketball or fried potatoes (buh-tay-duhs in Kentuckian) and enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. He was a fan of Ohio State football and Cincinnati Reds baseball, but, more than anything, he was a loving provider and caregiver to his wife, and greatest fan of his sons.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, brothers Marcus and J.R., sister Ottilee Smitson; wife, Loretta, on February 27, 2019, and son, Dr. Stan Toler, in November, 2017.
He is survived by numerous family members who loved him deeply and will miss him greatly: Sister, Lorene Delong; daughter-in-law, Linda Toler; son Dr. Terry Toler and his wife, Sue; son Dr. Mark Hollingsworth and his wife, Mary; 6 grandchildren and their spouses – Seth (Marcy), Trent (Erin), Aaron (Lauren), Adam (Amanda), Sarah (Jody), and Mariah (Ty). His is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren: Rhett, Ty, Davis, Jordan, Luke, Anna, Wren, Clara Jane, Lila, Bennett, Milo Jack, Will, and Hayes.
A service to celebrate Jack's life will take place on Saturday, August 17, at 11:00 AM at Edmond First Church of the Nazarene, 3001 S. Boulevard, Edmond, Oklahoma.