Chuck Holly

Profile Updated: September 18, 2020
Residing In: Fountain Hills, AZ USA
Spouse/Partner: Jeri Ellen
Children: Edward Holly, born 1961..lives in Gilbert, 4 kids
(Mitch-24, Brad-22, Hannah-19, Shane-17)
Chris More…Holly, born 1962...Lives in Awatukee, 2 kids
(Stepan-29, Ryan-27)
Richard Holly, born 1972, Redondo Beach, single
6 great-grandchildren
School Story:

Due to my close relationship with water sports, I have always suspected that I'd die from drowning.
And I've come close a few times. The "near drowning" that I experienced while playing football at the old Goodwin Stadium on the ASU campus, occured when we played in a rainstorm. With deep puddles on the field, I was handed the football for a run through the hole that Dick Erickson opened. Well, I was tackled, face down below the water line (muddy, grassy water). The occasion produced quite a dogpile which seemed to take forever to disarrange. I remember thinking "how ironic that I should drown while playing football".
I was just about to the end of my breath-holding ability when the brutes were finally pulled off me. I think the pile of players thought they would use the situation to rest.

What have you been doing since Since you Retired?

Retired from 35 years of teaching, continued my part-time RE sales into full-time in the beach cities of Southern California, sold my last surf board, moved to Fountain Hills, AZ in 2004, licensed RE salesman in AZ, have spent more time on travel, hobbies and visiting with friends and family.

How many careers have you had in your adult life? Did you have a favorite or most rewarding?

While in college ASU, I had a variety of jobs: I worked at a slotcar track which I eventually bacame manager. I cooked chicken for Kentucky Fried Chicken at Harmon's Barn on Apache Blvd. I worked nights in a gas station, worked for Bill Wolfe's dad at Property Control at ASU, life guarded at ASU, Phoenix Country Club, and Tempe Beach. I managed the Tempe Beach pool in 1964. Then in 1965, I taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded at Dick Smith's Swim Gym in Scottsdale. During my 35 years of teaching, I had a number of part-time jobs to supplement my salary. Most rewarding was teaching 5th grade while living across the street from the beach.
I worked for GTE as 411 operator, managed a slot-car track that the City of Redondo Beach Rec. Dept. provided on the Redondo Beach Pier. I worked as an after-school playground leader and arts and crafts specialist, coached basketball, flag football, volleyball and track teams. Besides my RE sales, I owned a small business which stored Realtors' signs, and put them on our gallows type sign posts when they had new listings.

What career did you always want to try but never did?

Farming (always a green thumb) or chef (love to cook)...in addition, I would loved to have the courage (and material) to be a stand-up comic. Before dozing off at night, I often come up with a lot of comedic thoughts, but would not even have the nerve to go to "Open Mic" nights with my grandson, Brad, who does stand-up now and then.
Maybe in another lifetime.

What are you most nostalgic about from your Tempe High School years?

My friends from grade school and THS, of the many shared moments and common experiences living in a small town. I'm so happy to have been smart enough to move back to the Valley area, to be taking part in the Tempe Old Settlers' annual luncheon, to visit with classmates, friends and relatives who remained in Tempe. I can watch with amazement the changes in Tempe and ASU's geographical footprint. I'm amazed at the Rio Salado project, and remember fondly the old Tempe Beach pool that was so much a part of my youth.
This is so cool that when updating our profile, there is a way to know which part was updated. Re: Tempe Beach pool...I was recently contacted by Sally Cole and Daphnie Livingston who were on my Tempe Beach diving team which I started in about 1962 or '63. They had wonderful memories of their experience with learning to dive, the competitions throughout the summer, and the whole wonderfulness of so many hours at Tempe Beach. They interviewed me with tape recorder going for nearly 2 hours. Sally is writing a book about fun at Tempe Beach and wanted to a little insider perspective. It was great to see that the skinny 12-13 year olds had grown into women.

Favorite Music, Then and Now?

Then: Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others that we danced to.

Now: Broadway show tunes, Meat Loaf, Rod Stewart's recent treatment of old songs, Lady Gaga, and Madonna (in Avita).

As of 2017, after receiving a nice acoustic guitar for Christmas, I've been enjoying my own music production. I've recently added the concert ukulele. My newest instrument is a tenor ukulele. I enjoy picking up and playing each one nearly every day.

Favorite Movie(s), Then and Now?

South Pacific then. Now I don't see more than 5 or 6/year, enjoy them about the same, but not a movie buff by any means. Truth be known, most of the 5 or 6 I mentioned above were seen onboard a cruise ship. Recently watched "Hamilton" on Netflix.

Favorite T.V. Program(s), Then and Now?

Then: American Bandstand, westerns, and surely there were others, but I don't remember.

Now: Doc Martin, Squak on the Street (stock market stuff), 60 Minutes, Face The Nation, ASU football, Phoenix Suns, Diamondbacks and Cardinals televised games. Some of my favorites have disappeared like Jon Stewart in the Daily show, and the Cobert Report. Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon have kept us entertained.

What teachers stand out most from those Tempe High School days? Why?

Glen Huish-Spanish and August Kanoche for the many math classes I took from him. I'll also never forget football coach Mitchell for a variety of reasons. I'm updating my comments about coach Mitchell: He could be pretty hard on players when they didn't perform to his standards, and let you know that you may have done less than your best.
When we lost a game, he didn't want to see us dancing in the gym after the game. We should be too tired to dance. My apologies to all our Buffalo football fans...I was never too tired to attend the dance afterward.

What would you like to share about what you've learned from life the past years since Tempe High School?

I learned that "when in Rome, do as the Romanians do". So I guess I've learned not to take myself too seriously...it's not all about me. And if you've read all this that I've written you might wonder. I've learned that perseverance is a good thing, and that no matter how tough things get (or how good things get), all will eventually come to an end. Also, I've learned to allow myself to re-examine my political views from time-to-time, and listen carefully to those with other party opinions.

Are there any embarrassing moments that you are interested in sharing? Strictly optional.

It was a little embarrassing to be paraded around in green tights during Senior Slave Day. I felt like a cross between Robin Hood and Baryshnikov. Do you remember Bill Wolfe and i were the last two Senior Slaves fighting for the last chair in Musical Chairs, in the gym during the Slave Day?

Who is that "one person" you would like to see and talk with from your days at Tempe High? Why?

I'd like to know who it was that went with me to the broadcast studio for the Arizona Bandstand. I don't think it was a "date", but there were 4 or 6 of us that went and danced. Maybe one of our parents drove us. The show came on right after American Bandstand. If you danced on the show, maybe we went together. Identify yourself.
(A post script): No one identified themselves, so maybe I went with people from a year older or younger than our class of 1961. Really ??
No one admits to it? In 2017, wife Jeri wants us to take dance lessons. Geezees !! ...Now 9/2019, no lessons...yet.Nor in 2020, I win.

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Mar 24, 2024 at 1:33 AM
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Feb 15, 2024 at 8:13 PM

Happy Birthday. And wishing you a happy new year.

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May 22, 2023 at 7:40 PM

Happy Birthday !

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Posted on: Mar 24, 2023 at 1:33 AM

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Mar 24, 2022 at 8:03 AM

Hi Chuck, it was a blast seeing you at the reunion. The time was short but some time with classmates is better than no time at all. I see you have reached another birthday, damn they come fast now. It won’t be long and I will hit the big 80!!!! Enjoy your day, hug your family and for Gods sake stay well. All is fine up here in the PNW.. after 78 years I retired last April when we sold our B&B.. I have to admit I really enjoy doing nothing. My mind wants me to start another business but my body says go travel, and slow down.. the body is winning. After the reunion my daughter & her husband flew into Arizona and I took them on a tour of the Salt river canyon, petrified forest, Winslow, Navajo Nation, went fishing on the Colorado river with my cousin, Antelope Canyon, Sedona, Jarome, Prescott and back yo Tempe. What a beautiful state we call home. Ok pal stay well

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Mar 24, 2022 at 1:33 AM
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Mar 27, 2021 at 10:41 PM

Posted on: Mar 24, 2021 at 1:33 AM

Chuck Holly posted a message.
Feb 21, 2021 at 10:33 AM

I read your comments and profile entries. So, you as a cheerleader would have cheered for our Buffaloes varsity football games where I was a player on the field most of the game because I played both offense and defense. I graduated in 1961 then ASU 1965, elem.ed. See if you can upload some photos. Share.

Chuck Holly has left an In Memory comment for Profile.
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:41 PM

Pete, you did the right thing. I didn't know Paul, but I knew I wasn't on the same plane with him.  It's nice to read the various stories of friendship with Paul.  Sure, everyone knew about his slide rule, but lots of us didn't know him.

Chuck Holly posted a message.
Sep 26, 2020 at 7:28 PM

Tom, we need pictures. I'd be happy to make your acquaintance. We may be neighbors. Hope you are well and happy.

Chuck Holly posted a message.
Jun 26, 2020 at 9:04 PM

Happy Birthday !!! Stay safe.

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Jun 26, 2020 at 9:02 PM
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Posted: Dec 19, 2013 at 9:25 AM
Love to cook. I sometimes I wear my chef hat when cooking for holiday dinners with family. Of course, Jeri is the head chef.
Posted: Dec 19, 2013 at 8:58 AM
Still love to fish. This is the cleaning station at Big Lake in the White Mountains of Arizona...about 9000 ft. elevation. I've come here almost every year since 1959. Great camping, deer, elk, bears, eagles and now Mexican wolves are introduced in the area. We made a rare wolf sighting a couple of years ago while kayaking on the lake.




agape