Gerald Wayland (Jerry) Holland, Jr.

Jerry passed away on June 24, 2026 after a long, valiant battle with cancer.

He was born on July 9th, 1949 to Wayland and Billie Louise (Gentry) Holland in Ennis, Texas.  He graduated from Ennis High in 1967 and attended Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas and joined the Texas National Guard during the Vietnam War era.  He proudly earned his Jump Wings and left the National Guard as a Sergeant.

In 1971 he married Cecilie Liska of Ennis.  They made their home in Ennis and had two sons: Ashley in 1973 and Adam in 1976.  Jerry worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad in Ennis for 17 years.  He was honored to be elected Ellis County Commissioner of Precinct 2 and served for 12 years.

Jerry was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and hunting, antique cars, and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.  He rode as funeral escort from Cowboys Stadium to the Texas Cemetery in Austin for decorated Navy Seal Chris Kyle.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years Cecilie; sons Ashley and wife Jaime, Adam and his wife Jennifer, grandsons Jack and Christian; granddaughter Ireland and husband Adam; his sister Billie Ann Blesse and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Joe David Holland.

Pallbearers are nephews Todd Liska, Michael Morris, Darren Liska, Kyle Liska, John McLemore and Patrick McLemore.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel in Ennis with Rosary at 7 p.m.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church with Father Agustin Fuertes as Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.