Irving C. Hollis of Dexter, Michigan, born January 21, 1929, died at the age of 94 peacefully at home with family by his side September 10, 2023.
Irv was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Clayton E. Hollis and Lenore (Irving) Hollis. He grew up working in his father’s grocery store, the White Market.
Irv attended Ann Arbor High where he excelled in sports, particularly swimming. Upon graduating in 1948 he began what would become a lifetime of service by enlisting in the Naval Reserves.
Irv married “Babe” Bray in 1950. They met when he agreed to give her and her friend Jerri a ride to meet their boyfriends as he was the only one Jerri knew who had a car. The next time Jerri asked for a ride Irv agreed only if Babe would not meet up with her boyfriend, and Irv drove Babe wherever she wanted to go for the next 73 years.
In 1951 Irv became a firefighter with the Ann Arbor Fire Department. During his tenure at the AAFD he started working part time as a Fee Deputy with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office. He soon started working full time as a Deputy Sheriff. During his unwavering dedication of 21 years in law enforcement he served as a road patrol officer, Captain of the Detective Bureau, an officer educator and ultimately the highest appointed position, Inspector. As Inspector, Irv oversaw many of the operations in the Sheriff’s Office including but not limited to the Junior Deputies, the Motorcycle Unit, the Mounted Division, and the group he was most proud of, the Police Service Dog Unit.
After Irv retired from the WCSO he was employed by St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in security. Eventually he moved to a part time position in guest services. He retired from SJMH in 2018 at the age of 89.
During Irv’s life he had many interests. He loved the outdoors and teaching his children how to fish while camping on the shores of many of the lakes in Michigan. He had a fondness for travel, especially to Arizona and the southwest. Irv was an animal lover with a special reverence for German Shepherds and always had at least one dog by his side until his death.
Irv will be missed by a multitude of friends that he made over a lifetime of shared interests. Until weeks before his passing he was still meeting “the guys” for breakfast once a week. He always said, “you’re only a stranger once, after we meet you are a friend forever”. He is remembered for the integrity in which he lived his life, his easy demeanor, good nature, and his willingness to give a hand when needed.
Irv gathered his family around him his entire life. There was always a house full of extended family and friends. He leaves behind the love of his life, Babe, sister Jacquelin Smiley, sister in-law “Tommy” Sautter, daughter Coleen Tomshany (Dan), son Clayton “Mike” Hollis (Mary) and daughter Kyle Yaeger (Thomas)
Additionally, his legacy will live on through his 14 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Police Service Dog Team of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society of Huron Valley or a charity of your choice.
A memorial service to be held September 21, 2024 in St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ, 7610 Ann Arbor Street, Dexter, MI. Visitation starts at 1:30 pm with a 2:30 pm service and a luncheon following at the Dexter American Legion Post 557, 8225 Dexter-Chelsea Rd. Dexter, MI.
