Duff Payne Hollon

Duff Hollon a long-time Lusk businessman dies

Duff Hollon, 86, who as a youth "rode the rails" to Lusk, died here Friday and the funeral service was held Monday. Hollon was "kicked off" the rails here in April of 1907, and finding "everyone speaking a friendly hello" decided to stay.

He took a job with the late Jakie Mills, 20 miles north of Lusk, hauling freight with team and wagon to the ranch. Later he worked for the late Harry Rogers and M.P. Vollmer of Lusk as a mechanic. In 1914 he joined the Army and became an auto mechanic at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

He returned to Lusk after the war and was in the garage business. In 1918 he built the present family home for his bride-to-be Emma Giedd of Hat Creek. They were married June 30, 1919, in Harrison, and from them two sons were born, Edmund Duff Hollon of Douglas and C. E. ""Jerry" Hollon of Lusk and Laramie.

In the 30"s Hollon had the mail contract from Lusk to Warren and Orin Junction. In 1936 he started the Covered Wagon Motel which he operated till 1962 when he retired. He was a long-time member of the American Legion.

Duff Payne Hollon was born Oct. 10, 1889 in Milan, Mo., son of John Edmund and Nannie Belle (Payne) Hollon. He received his education in Quincy, Ill. His mother died at his infancy.

His main concern throughout life, according to his family, was to teach the love of father and mother, their responsibilities and those of their children. The well-being of his wife Emma, his two sons Ed and Jerry, and their wives, Marjorie and Donabelle and his grandchildren, was his life.

He will be remembered by his friends, by his distinct "whistle" as he was going along his friendly way.

Funeral service was held at the Peet Mortuary Chapel, May 17, with the Rev. Robert Boutwell officiating. Minerva Watson, organist, accompanied Mark Lohr as he sang "The Old Rugged Cross", "How Great Thou Art" and "In My Father's House There Are Many Mansions."

Honorary bearers were Harry Fernau Jr., Henry Stiles, Gene Willson, Wm. Miller, C. E. Marvin, Doc Smith, Ed Halsey, James Barrett, Frances Barrett, Herb Klindt, Otto Krekeler, Alex Miller, Albert Glasby, Earl Jensen, Ab DeCastro, Pete Owens, Roy Chamberlain, Robert Templeton and Robert Vollmer.

Casket bearers were Gene Lenz, Clyde Blackmore, Bill Anderson, Charles Christian, Jim Smith and Walter Fernau. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion, Weiten Dupes Post #4, Lusk.

Survivors include the widow, two sons, brother Kenneth Hollon of Prairie Village, Kan.; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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