John Jay Hollar, 79, of Phoenix lost his battle with cancer on July 28, 2024. A native of Arizona, Jay was born in Mesa to John & Margaret Hollar on April 26, 1945. Jay was raised in Phoenix and graduated from West Phoenix High School in 1963. He continued his education at Arizona State University. After graduating, he was a dedicated & inspired teacher at Gerard Catholic High School, where he taught Spanish & Social Studies until the school closed in 1989.
Jay always loved plants and he spent the years after teaching working with a lawn & garden maintenance company. He enjoyed his morning crossword (don’t interrupt until he’s done) & working in his yard & garden & talking with his neighbors.
Jay was a good friend, always in touch with friends from high school and the students he taught. He had wonderful neighbors and was a good neighbor himself. He will be greatly missed by his sisters Diane (Bob) Crowley and Peggy (Woody) Woodward and his many nieces & nephews. Jay is preceded in death by his parents & big brother Mike (Fran) Hollar. A get-together for family and friends will be held at a later date.
God speed, Jay. We will miss you more than words could ever say.
Jay taught spanish my freshman year at Gerard High School. Always loved him and admired his teaching skills and humor. He will be missed, Godspeed Jay.
Uncle Jay, such a beautiful soul. He was witty, and fun to talk with. His ways of just listening with intent always showed how deep he cared. And of course, black olives will always be something that I will always associate with him at every family gathering. Until we meet again, we love you.
Connie and Richard Crowley
I lived three doors north of Jay Hollar for almost 10 years. He was godfather to my middle daughter. We loved him and cherished his friendship. God rest his soul.
Mr Hollar you will be missed. Jay was a very special teacher. Lots of cool memories.
You were certainly the one teacher all of us at Gerard remember. I was in the class of “77” . You must have had a natural talent for having students really understand the subject you were teaching. You were the one teacher that really got me excited about history …through your kindness and uplifting motivation while being so fun to listen to. I know with your loving heart you will certainly go straight to heaven and start teaching those angels a thing or two. You have been thought of often through the years. Thank you Mr. Hollar XXOO Much love,
Kathy Kohl class of 1977
As one of his students I can honestly say that he was a great teacher!! Was always fun to attend his classes.
I stumbled across Mr. Hollar’s obituary today- he was my teacher at Gerard! I never forgot him- he was a great teacher and person. I can understand why he will be so deeply missed. He was great and so nice- definitely my favorite teacher! Our sympathies to his friends and loved ones he left behind. Rest in Peace
Melanie “Stephens” Drazkowski – class of 1975 –
You will be greatly missed Uncle Jay 🙁
A Good Friend
Mr. Hollar was such a fun teacher, friend and a great human. I was in the class of ’72 and Jay was special. He would come to our reunions 🙂
My deepest sympathies to Jay’s family. I was in his first Spanish class at Gerard; my favorite teacher throughout high school. Just the nicest man. We will remember him well.
He will always be remembered. Great teacher and smile. Great mustache!!!
Jaybird,
I stopped by today and watered Your prized plants as they are painfully missing You!
My son Fenwick, and I cried when we heard the news.
Godspeed Jay..!