Sept. 12, 1951 – March 12, 2026
Rick Dewayne Holland, of Tulsa, Okla., left this earthly world on March 12, 2026. He was 74 years old.
He was born on September 12, 1951, in Amarillo, Tex., to Georgia Ruth (Ward) Widowski and Claude Widowski. His mother later married Vernie Lee Holland in 1955. Together as a family they moved to Coffeyville, Kan. Rick attended Coffeyville public schools where he participated in various clubs and sports and graduated with the Class of 1969. He enjoyed working for the Coffeyville Journal Newspaper as a paper boy and was often paid with buffalo nickels on his routes. It was through this job that his interest in coin collecting began.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971 and throughout his military career was stationed in Kansas, California, and Germany. He became a boxer for the Air Force and led an undefeated career, eventually winning the Military in Europe championship. He also participated in weightlifting in the Amateur Athletic Union. Rick was honorably discharged from the military in 1978 as a staff sergeant. He was a proud veteran and never missed an opportunity to reminisce about his service to his country.
While serving in the military, he attended Kansas Newman University in Wichita, Kan., where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He eventually went on to become a licensed real estate broker. His work in real estate would encompass his life. From 1978 to 2025 he managed commercial properties, sold real estate, and served as a broker. His work and successes were mainly in Tulsa.
In 1980 he married Dee Driscoll and together they had two children, Kali and Matt. His favorite thing to be called was “Dad”, and much later in life he loved being referred to as “Grandpa Holland.”
Rick was an avid member of the Tulsa Corvette Club where he formed many friendships among the camaraderie of fellow members. His 1963 split window Corvette was his pride and joy. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and treasured the baseball trips he would take with Matt in his later years. Rick loved to collect things, mostly in the form of sports memorabilia and Native American art. He amassed a large coin collection throughout the years which he took great pride in.
Rick is survived by his daughter Kali Kotsar (Andrey), son Vernie “Matt” Holland (Whitney), grandchildren Brianna, Oliver, Elliott, Claire, and Palmer, brother Ike Holland (Leslie), sister Pam Anderson (Larry) and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janet Lee Brown.
Viewing for Rick will be at noon before his service at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Gibson.
Committal prayers and interment will follow in the Fort Gibson National Cemetery will honors being presented.
The family of Rick Dewayne Holland has entrusted his care, service and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555.
Online condolences may be left for Rick’s family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com.
