Michael Jay Hollar

Michael "Mike" Jay Hollar passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, at the age of 81.

Born on March 5, 1944, in Alexander County, North Carolina, Mike spent his life there rooted in the Ellendale Community, where he built a legacy of faith, hard work, and devotion to family.

A devout Christian, Mike attended Antioch Baptist Church and Dudley Shoals Baptist Church. His faith guided him and he lived as a witness, treating all with kindness, humility, and grace. He was always welcoming and genuinely happy to see you and interested in your well-being. His friends felt his love, and he was loved by many.

Mike was a skilled machinist for CommScope and also worked as an upholsterer for St. Timothy Chair, Classic Leather and others. He took pride in his work and was known for problem solving and commitment to doing every job well. Outside of work he loved deer hunting and fishing and was always busy working on some project. He could build a house, refurbish a wrecked car, raise a full garden, name every tree and plant, shoot a deer, field dress it, skin it, butcher it and then make it into BBQ for supper. He spent a lifetime making connections and building treasured memories.

Mike was a sweet and loving spirit. He was hardworking, kind to all, and the kind of man who would do anything for a friend. Above all, he loved his family deeply.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Melody Beard Hollar; his sons, Eddie (Shanna), David (Shena), Eric (Kelly) and Angie Blackburn (Jamie), Jeff Beard (Jennifer) and Jason Beard; his grandchildren, Jason, Kyle (Cassie), Kevin, Bodie, Josephine, Caitlyn, Landon, Jackson, Eli and Francis; and his great-grandchildren Will & Elizabeth; and his brothers Wyndel (Anna Mae) and Warren (Betty) and sister-in-law Rachel.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jay Hugh Hollar; his mother, Harriet Kathryn "Katie" Moretz Hollar; and brothers, Blayne (Ethel Mae) and John and former spouse Barbara Bowman Hollar.

A visitation will be held Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Antioch Baptist Church. The funeral service will be on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Antioch Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Hugh Hollar, Brian Hollar, Bodie Hollar, Seth Bownman, Jamie Blackburn and Landon Blackburn.

Mike’s life was a testament to faith, kindness and quiet strength. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service.

Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com