Hollis G. Sullivan

Hollis G. Sullivan passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at his home in Harlingen, Texas. He was born June 27, 1929 to the late Iva D. and Thelma Sullivan in Palmyra, Alabama.

Hollis attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Massey-Draughton Business College in Montgomery, Alabama, Memphis State University in Memphis, Tennessee, and Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He also proudly served in the U.S. Navy.

He worked for Swift & Co. in various capacities for twenty years. He then became General Manager of Rio Grande Oil Mill in Harlingen for the next eight years. In 1978, he became President and General Manager/CEO of Valley Co-op Oil Mill until his retirement in 2013.

Hollis generously gave of his time and experience to serve as an officer and board member of many organizations. Among them, the Texas Cottonseed Crushers Association, National Cottonseed Products Association, Producers Trucking Association, Texas Food and Fibers Commission, Texas Food and Fertilizer Commission, Triangle Insurance Company, Soy-Cot Sales, and Texas Agricultural Co-op Council. He served as a member of the National Cotton Council Advisory Committee and a delegate to the National Cotton Council.

He also freely gave of his time and talents to the Harlingen community throughout the years serving as President of the Harlingen Lions Club, the Harlingen United Way, the Harlingen Community Development Board, the Harlingen Beef Club, the Harlingen Water Board, the Port of Harlingen Industrial Board, and the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce.

Being an avid outdoorsman, Hollis enjoyed hunting and fishing in his leisure time.

He is preceded in death by his son, Hollis Gray Sullivan Jr., his parents, Iva D. and Thelma Sullivan, and his brothers, Iva D. Sullivan Jr. and Raymond Sullivan (Evelyn Sullivan); brothers-in-law, John Shelton and Bill Vickery.

Left to treasure his memory is his loving wife, Phyllis; daughter, Peggy Sullivan Uzelac (Rich); grandchildren, Michael and Hunter Uzelac, and Scott Sullivan; sisters, Maggie Shelton and Joy Vickery; sister-in-law, Helen Sullivan; brother-in-law, Charles Cherrington (Bonnie); nieces and nephews, Herlee Cherrington (Shannon), Charlie Cherrington (Lisa), Tina Humphreys (Jay), Junior; and other numerous nieces and nephews.

The Sullivan family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, May 22, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will take place on Monday, May 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are the Harlingen Noon Lions Club, Dr. Tom Clark, Buddy Ross, Sammy Wright, Aaron Peña, Dennis Easley, Gary Meade, Connie de la Garza, and Jim Ratcliff.

In lieu of floral tributes, you are invited to honor Hollis with a memorial donation to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church or to the charity of your choice.