Gary Ray Holman

Gary Ray Holman, age 78, of Hastings, MI, passed away on May 4, 2021. Gary was born on July 11, 1942, in Galion, Ohio, the son of Paul and Ona Fay (Hamilton) Holman.

Gary was a 1966 graduate of Western Michigan University where he studied Political Science and a 1969 graduate of Wayne State Law School where he obtained his Juris Doctorate.
He worked for the Michigan Supreme Court while in law school and then established a private practice in Kalamazoo with his lifelong best friend, Gary Stewart. Gary was the first full time Prosecutor for Barry County in 1976 and became a Barry County District Court Judge where he served from 1979-2011.

In 1991, Gary married Kathy Kramer and they enjoyed 30 years together.

Throughout his life Gary pursued many activities including piloting his own plane, playing fast pitch baseball, golfing, sponsoring a race car team and remaining fit and active. In his retirement Gary especially enjoyed winters in Arizona with Kathy and a wonderful group of friends that gathered often for golf and socializing. Gary valued time with his family and watching his grandchildren grow was his greatest blessing.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Ona Holman and his brother, James Holman.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Holman, son, Gary (Marisol) Holman, of Anderson, IN, daughter Kimberly (Giovanni) Leonor, of Berrien Springs, MI, son Daniel (Kendra) Holman of Hastings, MI, brother, Paul Eugene Holman, grandchildren Tyler, MariAlexxa, Jared, Giovanni, Giancarlo, Giordanni, Wyatt, Ethan and Landon.

Due to COVID the family will be holding a private celebration of Gary's life, and a golf outing in his memory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Barry Community Foundation, 231 S. Broadway Street, Hastings, MI 49058. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net