Lewis Holland

Lewis Holland, 79, a lifelong resident of Eustis, a steadfast son, devoted brother, proud father, irascible grandfather and dedicated community member spent his last hours on Saturday, December 10th surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Eustis to E.L. Holland, Sr. and Tommie Huckeba, Lewis was a loyal son who loved his mother so much that he ate one of her home-cooked lunches every day.  Whether he went to her Eustis home to eat at her table or welcomed her delivery of a delicious meal to his place of work, Lewis knew a mother's love in the purest form: southern cooking.
Holland attended Eustis schools, including Eustis High School, where he played on the football team and excelled as a star on the track team.  Though deceptively small, Lewis had blinding speed and routinely outran anyone who challenged him.  A dogged competitor, Lewis met a young woman named Gayle Thompson in junior high and chased her until the two were married in 1962.
A lifelong affinity for public service - his father had served with the Eustis Volunteer Fire Department - Holland pursued a career as a Florida Highway Patrol officer, turned away only because at that time the position required men of a certain height and build.  Not easily dissuaded, Lewis, who had already taken work building many of the important local roads with the Florida Department of Transportation, joined the Florida National Guard.
His dedication to public service was evident to the police officers and firefighters in Eustis.  For Patrick Earp, whose father passed away before his son graduated the Florida Highway Patrol Academy, Lewis served as a fitting and willing surrogate when he and Gayle traveled to Tallahassee to pin the badge on Patrolman Earp.
This level of dedication was also clear to the people who looked to him at Thompson's Furniture in Downtown Eustis, where he went after his stint in roadwork.  His nephew, B.E. Thompson, recalls that Lewis could fix practically anything.  A perfectionist, Holland could make furniture that appeared beyond repair as good as new.  His skills and knowledge grew until soon he and Gayle purchased a business, "Thompson's Discount Furniture," from her parents, as well as ownership in the Bay Street Plaza.
When the pressures of large chain furniture stores spelled the end for their business, Holland decided to try his hand at another family business.  Following the path of his uncle, who was a partner in Zeller, Kennedy & Hamlin Funeral Home, Lewis took on the role of staff assistant, first with Hamlin-Hilbish Funeral Home in Eustis and later Beyers Funeral Home in Umatilla.
As a father, Holland was especially proud of the accomplishments of his three children, Michael, Cynthia and Debi.  Michael continued in the family tradition and now manages a group of Central Florida funeral homes in addition to stints as a Eustis Commissioner and Mayor.  Cynthia has poured her energy into raising three children and a career as a registered nurse at Leesburg Regional Medical Center.  Debi, an OB Tech at Winnie Palmer Hospital, fills her time raising four children and as an active leader in her church youth programs.
A grandfather of seven, Lewis didn't spend much time as "Grandpa Holland," because at 18-months, grandson Adam would point out the window and say "Ut oh!" when Lewis would approach.  The name stuck and for more than 20 years, they've called their grandfather "Ut Oh," a name he embraced and cherished.
If local waitresses and medical receptionists knew the name, they might have also used it, since Lewis was well-known in the community for teasing the people who waited on him.  A regular in local breakfast and lunch joints, the ornery man with the big laugh and the prodding jokes sitting in the corner booth was a community fixture.  He was almost as dedicated to teasing waitresses as he was to the Eustis Elks Lodge, which he joined when he was old enough and supported every day until his death.
He was also an ardent, vocal supporter of Florida State University, his wife’s alma mater.  One can imagine the kind of words he often had for Gator fans if they were foolish enough to ask his opinion.  Even closer to his heart was the Eustis High School football team.  A diehard supporter, even when his son and grandsons weren't playing, Lewis Holland followed the team no matter their record.  And although he was beset with major lung problems and couldn't climb the stairs any longer, as recently as this season, Lewis could still be seen parked in his gold Ford Crown Victoria at the bottom gates of the stadium, straining for a view of an upcoming play or a glimpse of the scoreboard.
Lewis Holland was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gayle, in 2001.  He is survived by his brother, E.L. Holland, Jr., his son, Michael L. Holland, his daughter, Cynthia Holland Paynter, his daughter, Debi Holland Putnam and her husband, Tim.  He is also survived by his treasured grandchildren, Adam, Kayleigh, Zachary, Abigayle, Luke, Noah, Max and his great-granddaughter, Reagan.