Courtleigh “Dean” Hollis

Courtleigh “Dean” Hollis, age 95, of Sullivan, MO, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.

Dean was born on August 25, 1926 in Kansas City, MO. As a small child, he and his mother moved back to the Spindler family farm in Japan, MO, where Dean spent his childhood and into his adult years. He attended Japan school through eighth grade and then Sullivan High School. He entered the US Army in 1945 and was in route to Japan when the war ended, so his ship was rerouted to Guam, where he ran the island water station. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned home. Dean was united in marriage to the love of his life, Minerva “Mike” West on July 3, 1947. To their union two children were born, Sharon and Vicki.

Dean worked at International Shoe Co. for twenty years prior to their closure in 1963. He then went to work for his cousin, Merle Spindler, doing carpentry work and was employed with Spindler Carpet until his retirement.

Nicknamed “The Mayor of Japan”, Dean loved sharing stories of his time growing up on the family farm. Having spent his entire life in the Japan and Sullivan area, he seemed to bump into someone he knew everywhere he went, and his booming voice and personality filled whatever room he entered. He always had funny stories and witty jokes to share and brought much happiness and laughter to all who had the honor of knowing him. He was a hard worker and an avid fisherman. In his younger years, when not working, if you couldn’t find him in his chair or on the front porch at 622 Lakeview, he was likely on a lake or river with a fishing pole in his hand. After years of carpentry work made it impossible for him to cast a line, he still dreamed of and shared tales of fishing.

Dean’s family was his entire world. He took great pride in teaching all of the kids in the family how to fish, and he would drop whatever he was doing to run his grandkids around town, whenever and wherever they wanted to go. He wasn’t one to give words of advice; however, he taught his family the importance of honesty, integrity and respect, by living those principles every single day.

Dean is survived by two daughters, Sharon Dixon of Sullivan, MO and Vicki Isom and husband, J.R., of Bourbon, MO; four grandchildren: Brian Isom of Sullivan, MO, Jason Dixon and wife, Renee, of Marathon, FL, Staci (Isom) Budde and husband, Ryan, of St. Charles, MO and Natalie (Dixon) Counts and husband, Kyle, of Sullivan, MO; seven great-grandchildren: Troy Creek, Donovan and Spencer Counts, all of Sullivan, MO, Adison and Averi Budde of St. Charles, MO, Lydia Dixon of Marathon, FL and Emi Lynn of St. Charles, MO; nieces & nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Minerva “Mike” Hollis; his mother, Christena “Tena” Hollis; and his son-in-law, Donald “Gene” Dixon.

A Celebration of Life will be held 4 – 6 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the Eaton Funeral Home, ending with full military honors.

Friends may send their online condolences to Dean’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions in Dean’s name may be made to the Averi Budde Heart Foundation.

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.