Ken Hollis, age 68, of Metairie, Louisiana died peacefully early Friday morning September 10, 2010 with his wife, Diane by his side at Ochsner Medical Center due to complications attributable to his battle with metastatic neuroendocrine cancer. Ken was born and raised in Alexandria, LA and graduated from Bolton High School in 1960 and Louisiana Tech University in 1964. He is survived by his wife, Diane and two sisters, Maud Ella and husband Rick Hartley and Anne Johnson. Ken married Judith Beasley Hollis (deceased in 2007) and had three sons; Jesse K. “Trey” Hollis III and wife Jill, live in Fayetteville, Arkansas with their two children, Mason and Abby. His middle son, Michael lives in New Orleans with his partner, Marty Brantley. The youngest son, Paul lives in Mandeville with his wife, Ashley and their daughter, Bryanne. Ken married Diane Woods Hollis in 1999, who had three girls from her previous marriage. The merging of these two families has been a blessing for all and especially to Ken. Diane's oldest daughter, Heather Menendez and husband Stephen live in Mandeville and have three children, Austin, Hunter and Ava. Middle daughter, Jennifer Stephens and husband Adam live in Mandeville, have a daughter, Josephine. Diane's youngest daughter, Casie Woods lives in Mobile, AL. Ken loved his entire family and each brought joy to him in their own special way.
Upon graduating from La Tech, Ken entered the insurance field and served as MassMutual's Regional Group Manager until 1981 when he took over as General Agent for the State of Louisiana until retiring from that position in January 1998. During the years of 1967 - 1974, Ken served our country as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. His entire professional career was in the health/life insurance and benefits industry and he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hollis Companies which specializes in employee benefits. He was very proud of his company and felt blessed that his son and many other close colleagues have pledged to carry on the business that he founded and built with them over his career.
In addition to his professional career, his other passion was his honorable career in public service of 28 years, first as a Jefferson Parish Councilman in 1980 until 1982 when he was elected to the State Senate. Ken served in the Senate for 26 years until 2008. Known for his colorful character and love for Louisiana, his accomplishments in the Louisiana Senate were many. Some of his proudest moments were championing the lifting of the tolls on the south shore of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as well as his advocacy for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. Ken served as Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee where his talents were used for his passion for economic development. He was instrumental in recruiting and retaining businesses in the state such as the early negotiations in retaining the Saints in New Orleans, completion of Harrah's Casino and the legislation to establish the Louisiana Lottery. He was also very proud of his earliest legislation to prohibit an earnings tax on non-residents working in the city of New Orleans.
Ken received numerous public service awards including the Alliance for Good Government's Senator of the Year Award for Jefferson Parish in 1985, 1987, 1993, and 1996 and the 2000 Legislator of the Year Award from the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, the 2007 Silent Defender Award from the International Code Council Foundation and the Frederick Law Olmsted Award from Jefferson Beautification.
If you would like to make a donation in Ken’s honor, please consider a gift to Cancer Crusaders, 1117 Homestead Ave., Metairie, LA. 70010 or a blood donation at Ochsner Medical Center (or any blood donation center that is convenient for you).
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Services at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Monday morning, 11:00 AM until service time. While the Funeral Service on Monday at Lake Lawn Funeral Home is open, the brief Interment following is for family only. Please visit and sign the family guestbook at http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com/.
There will also be a service recognizing Ken's 28 years of public service at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, LA on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 11:00 AM.
Below is a link to a story that appeared on NOLA.com this morning:
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/09/ken_hollis_former_state_senato.html
My condolences go out to the entire family and I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers will remain with the family during this time and It has been a pleasure working for such a wonderful man. I will miss Senator Hollis alot, but now we all have a special angel watching over us. Megan Guillot
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ReplyDeleteKen was truly a special person and a dear, dear friend. It was a priviledge and a pleasure to serve with him in the Senate for 12 years. Louisiana has lost a true and faithful son. Our sincere heartfelt condolences go out to you. May God bless you and comfort you.
Dad, As I sit here thinking about and praying for the Deviney family (we know all too well what they have been going through), my memory was drawn back to your last few weeks with us. It has now been almost four months. Four very sad and trying months. But today I shared a laugh with Ron Passons in thinking about you, Chuck the Printer and now Bob, all up in heaven getting ready for the races at "the track" and probably starting to talk about Argus and how beautiful the Queen is there next to her King, her grandfather. You and your buddies are missed. And although I mention that the days have been sad, I want you to know that I live each with a common saying silently to myself, would dad agree with this? How would Ken do this? Although sadness sometimes overwhelms me, optimism consumes me. And it is through God’s Strength and your strong presence, that get me through each day. And with each day, more smiles. Here's to you, and of course mom, to your good friend Chuck and now of course Bob. Hopefully you three guys are up there having a blast and laughing at us - I spoke with Ron Passons earlier - that's what he and I wished for. And it is what makes me smile. With Love, your humble and loving son, Mike
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