In Memory of Gary Holliman
Today, we come to you to share that on November 24, 2022, we lost PrideRock’s founder, Gary Holliman. In 1998, he and his wife, Carol, co-founded PrideRock Wildlife Refuge and he truly found happiness in helping the ones that needed the most help. Gary took great pride in the daily operations as well as raising awareness about the endangered and precious animals that came into PrideRock’s care. Gary will be greatly missed and never forgotten as his family, and extended family, carry on his legacy of unconditional love and service to all, no matter the circumstances.
Gary would’ve wanted others to help the organization that was so close to his heart by donating to PrideRock Wildlife Refuge. We have created a fundraiser in Gary’s name, which can be found here.
We’d also like to share with you a note written by Corey Alison, PrideRock’s Lead Keeper and close friend.
To the best friend who was no-one’s buddy:
Mr. Gary Holliman lived an incredible adventure of a life from humble beginnings farming on his grandparent’s farm, to high school football star. From there he took some time and learned to be and worked as a jet aircraft mechanic. It was here that Gary was able to “stack his bread” and pay his tuition through Baylor law school to go on to become a very successful attorney, which funded yet another one of his passions: diving and free diving in the Cayman Islands with his wife, Carol Holliman, and when it came time to settle down, Gary being the epic overachiever that he was did that in grand fashion as well and decided to do so with lions, tigers, cougars and wolves that he rescued from all around the U.S. His sanctuary was their sanctuary which we all know and love as PrideRock Wildlife Refuge.
Mr. Holliman, you will be loved, cherished, and missed until we meet again in the place where enclosures don’t exist.
To read Gary’s full obituary, click here.
Stay informed about upcoming events, conservation initiatives, and ways you can actively support our mission.
1 thought on “In Memory of Gary Holliman”
I had the pleasure to meet Gary and Carol in 2009 and offer my help to take care of these amazing animals. I temporarily lived in Dallas and drove out to Priderock once a week for about a year to help prepare food for these creatures. I will never forget the welcome I would get every time I drove onto the property, lots of wonderful dogs charging towards me. And having tigers chuff at you, and pumas pounce at you, and lions roar at you are special moments that few will get to experience.
Gary was like a father figure to me, he taught me how to drive a tractor, pull down a tree and fix the roof of the dog kennel.
What a wonderful man, and Priderock will forever have a special place in my heart.