John Ellis Holston, Jr.

John Ellis Holston, Jr., age 50, of Moyock, NC and Yorktown, VA, died at his residence, surrounded by family.
Born in Newport News, VA in 1973 to John Ellis Holston, Sr. and Patricia Ann Guzik Holston, he was the husband of Karen Rawlings Holston. John graduated from Tabb High School where he excelled as the starting pitcher and was an amazing baseball player. He also graduated from the Shipyard Apprentice School. Years later, he continued his love of the sports by coaching softball at Moyock Middle School and eventually became the head coach for the Currituck County High School girls’ softball team. He was semi-retired from his HVAC business, where his customers adored him and greatly valued his honesty and integrity. John didn’t know a stranger and could talk to, joke with, and engage positively with everyone. John enjoyed hunting and used his time outdoors communing with nature. One of his greatest joys was working on his farm, where he had a special relationship with each of the animals. He was married to his soulmate, Karen, for twenty-three years, together twenty-seven years. They built a wonderful life and achieved, as John would say, “Self-made status, built from the ground up.” Never just given anything. Their ultimate retirement was going to be realized in two years when they could enjoy their farm and many, many animals. John and his mother were in an annual competition over who was the better vegetable gardener and competing with who got the first vegetable and/or who had the most. John and his dad spent several years coaching York Middle School girls’ softball and one year with Coach Danny Williams. The team went undefeated.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents John & Patricia Holston, two sisters, Lisa H. Stevens (Joseph), Lynn H. Shematek (Robert); sister-in-law, Kathy Brumer; nieces, Audrey Shematek, Katie Vogler (Robbie), Ashleigh Pagaduan (Jon Rick), and Virginia Elizabeth Ward (Trey); nephews, Joey Shematek, Michael and Anthony Pagaduan, and Luke Ward; great nieces, Savannah and Maddie; their daughter by another mother and father, Camille Bacon, of Kenbridge, VA; and other extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held at Twiford Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will take place at Amory Funeral Home, 410 Grafton Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692 on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., officiated by Deacon Dan Johnson. The family will greet friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Currituck County SPCA, 140 Aviation Parkway, Barco, NC 27917 or https://currituckcountync.gov/animal-services-control/adopt-pet.