Roll Call Tribute

Jerry Ehlinger Holligan 

February 12, 1938 - May 7, 2024 

Jerry Ehlinger Holligan, age 86, of Burnet, Texas, was called to heaven on May 7, 2024. Jerry was born on February 12, 1938, in Bryan, Texas to Alva Monroe Holligan and Julia (Mathis) Holligan.

Jerry graduated from Bryan High School in May 1956. He married Julia “Judy” Bishop on September 2, 1960. His son Kelly was born on August 23, 1961, and son Len was born on June 26, 1964, both in Bryan, Texas.

After completing his degree in agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas in 1963, Jerry and his family ended up in Austin, Texas where he found employment with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, and Jerry continued his career with the SCS for thirty years. He developed lasting friendships with his fellow employees and enjoyed spending many days in the field working with the local farmers on engineering projects. After retiring from the SCS, Jerry started a surveying/engineering company with his son Len.

As a young boy, Jerry loved to go fishing with his father and Uncle Thurman Mathis at Ferguson Crossing on the Navasota River. Later as a father, Jerry attended numerous basketball, baseball, and football practices and games of his sons. Their teammates often noticed and commented “your dad is always here.” He helped identify problems and repair many of the neighborhood teenager’s cars. And one time when his young sons were unavailable, their friends asked, “Can Kelly and Len’s dad come out and play?”

In later years, Jerry and Judy built a home on a piece of property in the Oatmeal Community, Texas. Jerry enjoyed working to fix up the land and the well-fed cows he kept on the property. He and his wife also attended many bluegrass festivals featuring top named bands.

Jerry is survived by wife of 63 years, Judy, son Kelly and daughter-in-law Karen, son Len, and brother Lowell. He is preceded in death by his parents Alva and Julia Holligan and brothers Byron, Gene, and Wayne.