Myron L. Holl Obituary (1926

Myron Leroy Holl departed for eternity on December 11, 2014 from a house in Manchester that he built in a landscape full of trees that he planted over a period of 50 years. Born September 18, 1920 in Mukilteo, Washington to Norwegian parents, Clara and Christopher Holl, he graduated from Everett High School in 1938, and attended Bellingham College before enlisting in the US Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942. Myron was a Captain in the Paratrooper's 101 Airborne Division. In 1945, he led paratroopers in air shows selling war bonds in many cities across the USA. In June of 1945, over 100, 000 people came to Baltimore to see their "Airborne Attack" show. Myron married Helen Woodall in Columbus, Georgia on March 26, 1944--they were married for 66 years until Helen passed on December 10, 2010. Myron served in Japan in World War II after their surrender in 1946. Under his direction, with the aid of Japanese translator and professor Hidatchi, 100 men disarmed Japan military bases in several cities. Myron formed Service Heating and Sheet Metal Co. in Bremerton, Washington in 1960 and the company served the Kitsap Peninsula until 1982. He was the President of the Bremerton Lions Club and Bremerton Boys Club in the 1960s. Upon retiring in the 1980s, Myron and Helen traveled extensively throughout the United States and in Europe. One visit was to Myron's father's birthplace in Tonsberg, Norway. Myron's last years were spent enjoying the family's beachfront house in Manchester. He had a profoundly sharp memory, telling stories that made people happy about life. In one particular paratrooper story, he described the prayers and hesitations of some of the men under his direction who refused to jump. When asked regarding his own 64 jumps, "Did you ever say a prayer first?" his reply was "No, just jump." He is survived by his two sons, Steven and James, who live in New York City. They are both tenured professors; James at Marymount College and Steven at Columbia University. Steven, an architect, was awarded the Praemium Imperiale for outstanding achievement in the arts by the Japanese Arts Association in autumn. A celebration of Myron's long 94 years will be held at the family's chapel in Manchester on December 27th at 2:00pm. Please RSVP with Julie Winchester at 360.440.3593