Denzil Montgomery Hollis

Denzil Montgomery Hollis, Jr, age 79, a long-time resident of Foley, AL, passed away peacefully on January 15th, 2016. He was born in Tuscaloosa, AL on April 26, 1936 and was raised in Mobile where he graduated from Murphy High School. He went to the University of Alabama where he graduated with a Masters Degree. He married Brenda Wood of Mobile on March 28, 1957. They have been married almost 59 years. Denzil coached many sports at Foley High School including football, basketball, baseball, golf, and track; however, basketball became his love. He led his team to the state playoffs in Tuscaloosa. During the 1970’s he coached basketball for 10 years at McGill-Toolen. McGill refers to these years as the “Glory Years” as he took multiple teams to the state playoffs. He loved his players and did his best to instill the life lessons of hard work and overcoming adversity that helped shape his players’ lives. Denzil was an avid fan of Alabama football. His grandmother lived just two blocks away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. Even in his last days, he responded to the news of another Alabama National Championship with a tight squeeze of your hand. Denzil believed in Coach Bear Bryant’s philosophies of if you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards. “I have tried to teach them to show class, to have pride, and to display character.” Denzil was the owner of businesses in Gulf Shores for many years. He and his wife, Brenda, later lived part time in Tampa, FL where they had a wonderful life with friends, playing golf and other activities at their clubhouse. He loved his family and friends and was a great father, grandfather, and husband. Preceding him in death was his father, Denzil M. Hollis and mother, Eleanor K. Hollis. Surviving are his wife, Brenda of Foley, daughter Alicia H. Bold (Hammond) of Thomson, GA and son, Kevin C. Hollis (Susan) of Memphis, TN, his four grandchildren, Hammond Bold, Jr, Elizabeth Bold Tudor (Charles), Rebecca Hollis, and Christopher Hollis, brother Jack K. Hollis (Janice), and nephew Matthew K. Hollis, two great grandchildren, Shaye Patterson and Samuel H. Tudor, and in laws Mary and Charles Wood of Mobile, and brother-in-law Bill Wood of Mobile. Funeral Services will be held from Pine Rest Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Monday, January 18, 2016. Visitation is at 1:00 PM, and interment will follow in Memorial Park at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers please send donations to First Baptist Church of Foley, AL or The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633.

Denzil Montgomery Hollis

April 26, 1936 - January 15, 2016