Dennis Holway (STH'70)
Dennis Holway
March 26,1945-August 6,2016
HOLWAY, DENNIS B. (P.68; F.74) SCA 68 School; 70 Glendale: First, Minister of Youth; 75 Costa Mesa: Mesa Verde, Assoc.; PSW 77 Soldotna: Miss’y to Alaska; 82 Anchorage: First, Assoc., Miss’y to Alaska; C-P 85; 87 Miss’y to Alaska, Mission Assoc. Director of CCOM; 90 Anchorage: Turnagain, Miss’y to Alaska; 99 Conference Superintendent & Pastor, Miss’y to Alaska Missionary Conference; 2000 Alaska Missionary Conference (¶337.1); 05 (Jun 30) R’d; 08 (Alaska) (¶346.1); 09 R’d;
Dennis Holway was born in Glendale and grew up in the Glendale: First UMC down the street from his boyhood home. Dennis went to Glendale College, received his B.A. from California Western University in San Diego, then his M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology.
Dennis was appointed as Minister of Youth at his home church in Glendale. He married Susie in 1974 and while serving as associate pastor at Mesa Verde, they led a Cal-Pac Work Team to Anchorage. They loved Alaska, and the following summer in ‘77 they were commissioned as home missionaries and headed to Soldotna, Alaska. Todd was born three months later, followed by Blake in ‘79.
The Holways moved to Anchorage where Dennis served as pastor of churches and then on a Superintending Team for the Conference until retirement in 2009. They were both very active; their social life with their many friends centered around hiking, biking, and running. They enjoyed traveling to run marathons, hut-to hut hiking in the Alps, and biking on barge trips.
After Susie’s early retirement at the Anchorage School District in 2010, they moved back to California to be near family as their boys had settled in Seattle and north Lake Tahoe. Dennis was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and he and Susie were committed to maintaining their active lifestyle to help combat the disease and continue to enjoy life. Dennis enjoyed spending time with his family, his friends, and his church right until his final days.
Dennis always had a love of the outdoors. He introduced the Sierras to many youth, friends, and family. His love led him to Alaska and his life-long commitment to church camps. Dennis’ ashes will be spread at Psalm Lake on June 17 with his family and Alaskan friends present to celebrate his life.
-Susan Holway