Michael J.

Hollie

Michael J. Hollie, Sr. was born in Toledo, Ohio, May 17th, 1938 to Lillian Johnson and Thomas Sturdivant.

He spent his formative years with his maternal grandmother, Claudia, who had a huge impact on his life.

Mike was educated in Toledo's public school system and was a proud graduate of Macomber Vocational High School were he was a standout basketball and football player, making all-city in football. He attended the University of Toledo for a brief period.

Classically trained on the piano.,Mike developed a strong desire to play the drums after observing "Swing Lee", a local drummer.

Taking his high school graduation money, he purchased a set of drums, took lessons from "Swing Lee" and later formed his own band called Mike Hollie and the Soul Merchants.

At the time of his death he still had that same drum set on which he'd played well over 50 years.

Mike' band once opened for Jimmie Smith and played for Etta James during her early years. He had the pleasure of playing with most of the great jazz musicians in Toledo.

For over 20 years Mike's band was the house band at the former Green Light nightclub. He often played at open sessions at the former Rusty's jazz club.

Services will be streamed live on House of Day's facebook page.

Mike loved sports and he loved his grandchildren. He had the opportunity to combine the two when he was able to serve as assistant coach for his granddaughter, Erica's basketball team ,the Lady Rams at Rogers High School.

Mike worked as an insurance agent for 38 years, first for Western and Southern Life Insurance Company and later for Allstate Insurance Company, retiring in 1999.

For over 83 years Mike was an active member of St. Philips Evangelical Lutheran Church were he served many years as Chairman of the Church and/or Head Elder.

Mike also found time to work in community, serving as a member of the Board of NIFTI, later becoming its Chairman.

He served as regional governor for Toastmasters International , the board of the African-American Legacy Project and on the Genacross Lutheran Services Board of Directors.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother and dad, Lillian and Willie Hollie and father, Thomas Sturdivant, his grandmother, Claudia Wiley and grandson, James Hague.

He leaves to cherish his memory wife of 34 years, Ireatha, children: Joy (Mike) Awls, Holland, Ohio, Mike ( Dee) Hollie, San Antonio, Texas , Dawn Hollie, Columbus, Ohio, Philip (Richele) McFarlin, Toledo, and Anitra Wright, Toledo.

Sisters: Peggy Harris, Huntsville, Alabama and Carmeta Sturdivant, Carson, California. He also leaves to mourn his passing 15 grands, 21 great grands, special cousin, John, his Macmen brothers and a host of other family and friends.

He spent most of 2024 battling health issues and was admitted to Hospice of NW Ohio, January 2, 2025 where he died on January 10th.

Faith, family, and friends helped sustain him to the very end.

Services will be streamed live on House of Day's Facebook page.