Sherman Elwin Holdaway - Gone Fishin'

On Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, Sherman Elwin Holdaway retreated suddenly to his secret fishing hole in the sky. After unsuccessfully fighting with a monster abdominal-aortic-aneurysm for several hours, he decided it was time to pack his gear and finally go home.

In his quiet way, Sherman left a profound mark on everyone who knew him. He was an accomplished high school athlete, a fastball softball pitcher, a master fisherman and a big-buck trophy winner. He pulled a record-breaking trout through a small hole in the ice at Strawberry reservoir, and was featured by sports broadcasters Doug Miller and Reece Stein on television. But he wasn't famous, and he liked it that way.

Despite his quiet manner, he was known to flag down and talk to anyone walking by the house who would engage with him in conversations about fishing or BYU sports. Above everything else, he was a good man, loved by all those who had the pleasure of getting to know him. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend.

He is survived by Kathleen, his loving wife of 66 years; his siblings: Nan Holdaway, Ned Holdaway, and Marilyn Leetham; his four children: Jill Hansen (Dave), Frank Holdaway (Sue), Kerri Johnston, and JoAnna Holdaway (Brock); 15 grandkids, and 25 great grandkids.

Sherm hated funerals and expressly directed that he didn't want one. He'd probably just leave and find a room with a football game playing, anyway.

If you'd like to show your respects to the family, feel free to call or drop by the house and share a Sherm story. In lieu of flowers, find someone who needs the cash, and surprise them with a gift. Tell them it's from Sherm. He'd like that.

Or better yet, when the temperature drops and the north wind starts to howl, put on your warmest gloves, drive to a frozen lake and cut a hole in the ice. Then lower two lines into the water—one for you and one for Sherm. Sit there, freezing your behind off and waiting for the pole-end to dip. Ponder the meaning of life and the blessings of having good people to share it with.

You don't need to say a word. With Sherm, conversation was always optional.

Biographical Information:

Birth: July 3, 1939, Lehi, Utah

Parents: Ellis Dee Holdaway and Clista Beck

Death: November 4th, 2024. Provo, Utah

Residence: Orem, Utah

Spouse: Kathleen Marshall