Clyde Carl Holliday
May 19, 1924 – Sept. 19, 2008
Clyde Carl Holliday, 84, of John Day, died at his home Sept. 19, 2008. A funeral service was held Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Clyde Holliday State Park in Mt. Vernon. Pastor Paul Cox and Pastor Robb Foreman officiated. Interment was held at Canyon City Cemetery.

Mr. Holliday was born May 19, 1924 in Estancia, New Mexico to Nick and Florence (Thomas) Holliday. He served in the United States Navy for four years as a fireman 1st class. He married Earlene Walker on Jan. 13, 1942 in Grants, N.M. He was a cattle rancher, from which he never retired.

His hobbies included work, family, reading telling stories, his faith and loving Grant County. He was a member of the First Baptist Church since 1954, a 55-year member of the John Day Elks Lodge #1824 and a member of the Canyon City Grand Masonic Lodge, 33rd degree, since 1934.

His accomplishments included being a World War II veteran of the Amphibious Division; a successful logger and cattle rancher; and a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

The state park in Mt. Vernon has borne his name since 1971, when he transferred the second of two parcels of land to the Oregon State Parks to preserve the recreational site. In all, 12 acres of the park came from the Holliday holdings.

Mr. Holliday died with his large family around his bed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; eight sisters, grandson, Billy Holliday; and granddaughter, Tricia Holliday Cook.

Survivors include his daughters, Carlene Damer of Prineville and Sharon Mitchell of John Day; sons, Ron Holliday of Seneca, Darrel Holliday of John Day and Ken Holliday of John Day; 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Home Health and Hospice, or to the Clyde and Earlene Holliday Scholarship Fund through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.(Blue Mountain Eagle Newspaper)