Gary L. Holman

Gary L. Holman was born in Gooding, Idaho to Lindsey and Helen Holman on September 1, 1937.  His father died of a brain aneurysm when Gary was three.  His mother remarried and Gary was subsequently raised by his mother and step-father, Leland Fleischman.  

Gary was open to growth, talented, funny, and wise.  As a descendant of our country’s earliest settlers and an American president, Gary was not afraid to leave his comfort zone and pursue adventures.  When he was a young father, he moved his family across the country from Idaho to Pittsburgh to work and to pursue his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh.   Later, he served as Superintendent of the state schools for the deaf in North Dakota and Washington state.  Devoted to his students as a school administrator, Gary arranged for visits to his school by Pittsburgh Steelers players to talk about resilience and perseverance.  Gary was a gifted athlete.  He was a talented high school basketball player and an exceptional golfer.  He golfed almost daily into his later years, hitting several holes-in-one and golfing his age in his seventies.  

Gary was a wonderful husband to his dear wife, Rose.  Sweethearts in Gooding, Gary and Rose were married for sixty-four years.  They were proud parents to their two girls, Gina and Roxanne.  To his daughters, his parenting style included heartfelt talks and logical consequences.  A man of few words, when he spoke, he brightened and improved the lives of others.  His quiet wisdom guided his daughters throughout their lives.  Gary relished relationships made with his grandchildren.   At Caritas House, his caregivers enjoyed his wry smile, advice, and sense of humor.  Throughout his life Gary enjoyed cheering for his favorite golfers and teams, birthday parties with friends, memorable camping trips in Idaho with family, and purposely getting lost on Sunday drives.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsey Holman and Helen (Strickling) Fleischman, his wife Rose (Low) Holman, his sister, Jeanne (Farrell) Buxton; and step-brother, Darrell (Faye).  He is survived by half-sister, Karen (Fleischman) Ripatti and half-brother, Rick (Dixie) Fleischman; daughters, Gina (John) Gladstone and Roxanne (Joe) Stapleton; grandchildren, Lindsey (Jared) Fowler, Andrew Ellibee, Gabe Stapleton, and Austin Stapleton; great grandchildren, Vaughn Fowler and Harrison Fowler; many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews; dear friends; and wonderful caregivers in Caritas House at Mary’s Woods.  

Gary will be missed.  He lived with quiet humility, a sharp sense of humor, and a boundless heart.  He was above all a good human being.  Loving, wise, a jokester to the end, he was fiercely devoted to his family.

A family burial service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho on 1/10/2026 at 11:00 a.m. 

 A memorial Mass will take place at the Chapel of the Holy Names at Mary’s Woods, Lake Oswego, on 1/22/2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to cancer research at Providence Portland Medical Foundation.

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