Eugene Hollahan

Dr. Eugene Hollahan, PhD Feb 27, 1933 - April 18, 2017
Born on February 27, 1933, in Memphis, Tennessee - the 6th of 10 Hollahan children of Thomas and Christine Hollahan.
He grew up in Memphis, served in the Navy from 1952 to 1955 as an Aviation Structural Machinist Mate – 3d Class, aboard the aircraft carrier USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
Mustering out, he returned to Memphis and started his college career, something he would continue in some way for the next 40 plus years. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Memphis State in 1959, and his Masters of Arts from the University of Tennessee in 1961. Gene began his teaching career at Clemson University, then moved to Raleigh to begin teaching at NC State and start pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of North Carolina. It seemed that wasn’t all he pursued then, as he fell for the black-haired girl from Harnett County. Gene married his beloved Carol in April 1963, and they started their life together on Avent Ferry Road.
Between acting in plays and constantly revising his doctoral dissertation, the happy couple found time to introduce Mark Ransom in December 1965 and Brian Walsh in October 1968. Gene was awarded his Doctorate in 1969 and took a new professorship of English Literature at Georgia State University in Atlanta. The Hollahans landed in Atlanta coincidental to Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon and took up residence in the Medlock neighborhood near Decatur.
Surrounded by dear friends and family, Gene and Carol lived in the same house together for the past 48 years. Gene taught, wrote, read, gardened, was loved by and loved a vast part of our community. Seldom could you come across Gene and not have an impromptu deep and insightful conversation – whether you were a lifelong friend or a casual acquaintance.
An accomplished and published poet and author, he penned countless poems, published over 4 books of poetry, and 4 scholarly books. Most cherished were his personal poems; he wrote wonderful poems for births of grandchildren and in celebration of the weddings of his close and extended family. His plays on names in these poems were witty, pithy and very, very loved by those who received them.
A wonderful husband to Carol, they celebrated their 54th year of marriage together in Hilton Head, during early April. A caring and involved father of Mark and Brian, he coached their teams, attended performances, corrected their writing assignments (except this one), mentored and loved his sons as they became men, husbands and fathers themselves.
The true joy in his life became his four grandsons, Thomas, Ransom, Oliver and Jackson. Each benefited from his love, from his reading, from his attention, especially the pointing game, “that is a flower.” His grandsons all adored Granddad, and they Skyped, called and visited often.
Dr. Eugene Hollahan is survived by his beloved Carol of 54 years: son Mark Ransom, his wife Kim, grandsons Ransom and Jackson; son Brian Walsh, his wife Nadya, grandsons Thomas and Oliver, and brother Steve Hollahan and Sisters in Law Jeanie Hollahan and Rebecca Cohen, and many nephews and nieces.
A Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Eugene Hollahan will be at A. S. TURNER and Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, GA, Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 3 pm, followed by a reception/visitation on site. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Gene with a donation to Project Open Hand, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your preference.