Kenneth Dwayne Holland

We turned the last page and closed the book of our very beloved fathers life on Tuesday, October 18, 2016. Words cannot capture such an incredible man. Our father was born on June 5, 1932 and grew up in Mullan, Idaho. He had an idyllic, happy childhood as a beloved and adored son and brother. Our dad was a gifted, ambidextrous athlete; he was drafted to play AAA baseball as a right and left-handed pitcher. Also an accomplished musician, he was offered a contract to play trumpet for Stan Kenton, which he declined as he had discovered from playing AAA baseball that he hated life on the road. After graduating from Mullan High School in 1950, Dad went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho. From there he went into the Army. When tested, it was discovered that he had a genius level I.Q, hence he was assigned to Army Intelligence. He was the only small town boy in his division; the rest were all east coast, Ivy Leaguers. As an Army Intelligence agent, he quickly became fluent in German and was sent to monitor communist activity in East Berlin. There he was involved in many intelligence collection operations in which he risked his life for our country.As an intelligence officer back in the states, he led debriefings with arrested Ku Klux Klan members and assisted local authorities in their efforts to disband this illegal organization.After leaving the army, he attended the University of Washington Law school on the G.I. bill, having scored the highest LSAT score in UW history to that date. He married his first wife Carole Myers Holland in 1960, and they settled in the Seattle area where he worked as a realtor. Together they had two children, son Mark Holland and daughter Anne Holland Gagliano. Dad loved to take us camping and fishing both locally and up the St. Joe river in Idaho. He also loved to hunt in Wilbur, WA, where he co-owned a cabin with his dear sister Jan Holland Goodman and his beloved brother and very best friend, Ed Holland. We had many magical outings with our dad and will cherish the memories of these trips forever.In 1979, he married his second wife Barbara Kelly Holland, and he played a loving role as step-dad to her two children as well, Dawn Kvernenes and Steven Lawson.Dad is survived by his second wife Barbara Holland, his son Mark Holland and daughter-in-law Jennie Fulbright Holland, his daughter Anne Holland Gagliano and son-in-law Mike Gagliano, his grandson Michael Gagliano and his granddaughter-in-law Samantha Gagliano, his grandson Rick Gagliano, and his new baby great-granddaughter, Quinn Gagliano. He is also survived by his step-daughter Dawn Kvernenes, his step-son Steven Lawson and his step-granddaughter, Danielle Lawson. His sister-in-law Lee Holland is the last of his surviving siblings, and he has dozens of nieces and nephews. Dad took his last breath surrounded by the ones he loved. As we said our heartfelt goodbyes, he stepped into eternity. Dad, well miss your sharp wit and your keen sense of humor. Well miss hearing of your incredible adventures. But most of all Dad, well miss your sweet smile, your soft laughter, and your gentle ways. Youll forever be in our hearts.