Wayne K. "Paunch" Holloway

Wayne K. (Paunch) Holloway passed away on December 22, 2021, surrounded by his colorful, creative art. He was born November 1, 1937 to Leonard Othel and Nina Harchen Holloway on a ranch outside Saratoga, Wyoming, the middle son of 5 boys. They lived briefly in Ogden Utah before settling down in North Platte, Nebraska, his father a watchman for the Union Pacific Railroad and his mother a homemaker.

Wayne struggled in school likely from undiagnosed dyslexia, but his 5th grade teacher recognized his artistic talent, setting the stage for the last 32 years of his life. In between, he joined the Navy after high school and served 4 years in Hawaii and on Midway Island. After his discharge he moved to Denver where he held a variety of jobs: shoe salesman, insurance salesman, auto leasing, auctioneer, interior decorator, home improvement salesman, and job coach for special needs children with Aurora Public Schools. He also volunteered at the Denver Art Museum and Denver Big Brothers.

He met and married the love of his life Judy Ann Skaife in 1982 and they enjoyed 31 years together until her passing in 2013. In the late 1980s he heeded the encouragement of his 5th grade teacher and began painting, announcing to Judy that he wanted to become an artist, a passion he excelled at the rest of his life. He had 23 art shows and sold hundreds of paintings, including custom tuxedo shirts that were also available in the Denver Art Museum gift shop.

Wayne and Judy had a wide circle of friends and loved to dance, entertain and socialize. They also enjoyed traveling, spending time in Europe, Mexico, and nearly every state in the US. Their favorite place though was Mountain Air Ranch, a family nudist resort west of Denver where they were active members. Their Mint Julep parties were legendary, and along with introducing paddle tennis, Wayne created a memorial garden and commissioned an amazing steel sculpture that greets visitors as they arrive.

Wayne's ashes will be interred alongside his beloved Judy at that memorial garden, and a celebration of life will take place in early summer at the 23rd Avenue Sculpture Gallery. To be notified, please send an email to paunchholloway@gmail.com with Paunch's Celebration in the subject line. Also, if anyone is interested in acquiring one last piece of his art, send a separate email titled Paunch's Art and a private showing will be arranged. Please feel free to post memories and photos on the Tribute Wall. Wayne would think that was "awesome"!

Lastly, we send profound thanks to the wonderful and caring folks at Canyon Home Care & Hospice and Colorado Help at Home for providing professional and compassionate care for Wayne in his last days. You all went way above and beyond our expectations, and your dedication and help meant everything during a very challenging time.

Safe journey, my friend!