David King Hollis, Jr.

David King Hollis, Jr. died peacefully Friday, March 9, 2018 surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was husband to Judith Starling Hollis and father to David King Hollis, III, Comer Todd Hollis, and Starling Hollis Waldron.
DK was a lifetime citizen of Hahira, Georgia. Born and raised here, he was the son of David King Hollis, Sr. and Fredda Robinson Hollis. His father was one of the founding owners of Citizens Bank of Hahira back in 1927. Since the age of 14, David worked alongside his father in the bank; only leaving Hahira for travel, a brief stint at Riverside Military Academy, and college. David graduated from Hahira High School and then on to the University of Georgia in Athens. At UGA, David was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and served as President. He also advanced to be Treasurer and later President of the Inter-Fraternity Council. At the University, he was also a member of Sphinx, Blue Key, Student Council, Gridiron, X Club, Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities, and various other college organizations.
David, also known as D.K. or Dave, returned home to Hahira in 1958. He immediately jumped into the race for Lowndes County representative, but lost to Roger Budd, the incumbent legislator. His political cards advertised him as “Young – Progressive – Efficient”. But, despite this lost, his political aspirations continued. At the age of 22, he became Mayor of the City of Hahira and at the time of his election, he was the youngest mayor in the United States. In a few more years, upon the death of his father, he became President of Citizens Bank and had to leave his political career behind to focus on the bank.
David took on the banking world with the same energy he had in college. In his 60 plus year career, he has grown the bank from one to four branches, changed the bank’s name to Citizens Community Bank to reflect the business involvement in the community, and grew the bank’s asset size from $1.4 million to currently over $140 million. He died still serving the bank as Chairman of the Board for Citizens Community Bank and also, the bank holding company, CCB Bancshares, Inc. His career accomplishments include being President of the Community Bankers Association, a Director on the Board for the Georgia Bankers Bank and the Georgia Independent Community Bankers of America. In his community, he served as President for the Valdosta Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and Chairman for the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Sheriff Boys Ranch. At the age of 65, he received the UGA Terry College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award. He has served on many committees and boards and maintains lifetime memberships in the Hahira United Methodist Church, the Hahira Lions Club, the Hahira Historical Society, the Valdosta Country Club, the Valdosta Elks Club, and the Georgia Sheriffs Association. And in 2017, D.K. was proud to be honored as a Distinguished Citizen in the Hahira Honey Bee Parade.
But not only was David a businessman and community leader, he was also a family man. Shortly after returning home from college, DK married Judith Ann Starling, also of Hahira, and remained in marital bliss for over 57 years until her passing last year. He was a loving father to David King Hollis, III (wife, Karrie), Comer Todd Hollis (deceased in 2014), and Starling Hollis Waldron (husband, Archie). He was also Grand Papa to Lily Starling Waldron, Alexander Minton Waldron, Hollis Marie Waldron, and Miller Starling Hollis.
DK loved the Bank and loved the people that worked for him and thought of them like family. His last years were tough dealing with personal losses, but he still was a kind and fair man to all who knew him. Instead of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift in his name to your favorite charity or may we suggest the Hahira United Methodist Church, Hahira Historical Society, or the Georgia Sheriffs Boys Ranch.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Fellowship Home for caring for him in his last days and also the special ladies that have been a part of our family for the last few years. Thank you Tonya, Jackie, Dinah, Wanda and Shetora.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hahira United Methodist Church. There will be a private entombment at the family mausoleum at Sunset Hill Cemetery. The Hollis family will receive friends at the Martin/McLane Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.