FORMER OOLOGAH MAYOR, JERRY HOLLAND, RECENTLY PASSED AWAY

FORMER OOLOGAH MAYOR, JERRY HOLLAND, RECENTLY PASSED AWAY

By: Carolyn Estes

December 8, 1938- December 10, 2025

Jerry M. Holland graduated from Cascia Hall in Tulsa in 1957 and received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1961 from the University of Miami. He then served in the Navy from 1961 to 1965, including active duty in Vietnam.

After his military discharge, he worked for Florida Gas Transmission Co. in pipeline construction. He also worked for Fluor Huxable Hammond Engineering Co. and was in project management for Parsons Chemical & Engineering. He also designed and built petrochemical facilities in the Middle East and South America. He was the owner of J & T Resources and was an oil producer.

He and his wife, Janice, lived on the Holland Ranch in Oologah.

During this time as Mayor, he was also the Oologah Municipal Authority chairman and was named to the Oklahoma Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental relations by Senate President Pro Tem, Stratton Taylor. He also received a certificate from the State of Oklahoma House of Representatives and signed by Representative Dwayne Steidley, commending him for his service to the State of Oklahoma and to the Town of Oologah. Holland was named Citizen of the Year by the Oologah Area Chamber of Commerce in 1995.

From 1991 – 2015, Jerry Holland served as Mayor of Oologah. During that time, Jerry was involved in numerous town expansions, projects, and improvements including 1) moving Town Hall to its current location, 2) planning for the new Oologah Community Center building, 3) constructing and upgrading the sewer treatment plant, 4) purchasing and selling the Lakeside State Bank Building, 5) arranging for Apple Market to locate in Oologah, 6) accepting 40 acres donated by PSO to be used for a sports complex, 7) working with the Cherokee Nation to obtain funding for Oologah’s Community Center and Park, Police Department, and streets.

Holland was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Indian Territory Cowboys and Pioneers Association.

Holland is survived by his wife, Janice, who resides in Oologah. He is also survived by four sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nephews, and a great niece. Others who will miss Holland include countless friends from the military and the Town of Oologah.

Holland was buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

The Family would like to thank the Mowery Funeral Home Services in Owasso for their assistance.