December 13, 1942 – July 18, 2020
Harold “Ron” Holliday, 77, Westfield, passed away July 18, 2020. He was born on December 13, 1942, to the late Harold M. Holliday and Thelma (Lohr) Holliday Ethridge Wright in Noblesville. He married on December 12, 1961, to his high school sweetheart Beverly Ann (Badger) Holliday. They were married 57 years before his passing.
Ron attended Ivy Tech, and he graduated from Westfield High School in 1961. He worked at Ertel Mfg. and retired from UTCarrier in Indianapolis after 35 years. Ron established Holliday Real Estate and sold residential and land for 22 years.
Ron lettered in track and cross country, becoming Westfield High School’s and Hamilton County’s first cross country champion in 1960.
Ron started racing amateur motorcycle flat track and scrambles in 1966. Ron turned professional in 1969, traveling the surrounding states, retiring in 1972. During Ron’s motorcycle career he organized and was President of the Country Gentlemen Motorcycle Club of Hobbs, Ind. He was the Indiana Congressman for the American Motorcycle Association, located in Westerville, Ohio. Ron was instrumental in establishing the AMA District 15 Club Council. Ron served as their Dirt Track Referee and Vice President of Racing Competition.
Ron was inducted into the American Horseshoe Pitcher’s Hall of Fame. Ron started pitching as a sub on Sheridan Men’s League in 1982. The following year he was selected to be a team captain. He was voted in as the league Public Relations officer in 1984 and again in 1985. During that time, he helped the league grow from 36 pitchers to 48 pitchers. In 1986 he helped form Sheridan’s women’s league. Ron became the AHPA’s First Vice-President in 1987. Ron was elected the AHPA President in 1988 and held that position until 1995. During that time, he helped the AHPA to grow from about 400 members to near 700. Ron also assisted in organizing the Tipton Horseshoe League. He was re-elected President in 2001 for another two-year tenure. Ron has also served on the AHPA’s Board of Directors and served as their Public Relations officer. Ron was their Handicap Point Champion in 1987 and 1991. The AHPA also honored Ron as Mr. Horseshoe in 1990 and he became the first man to receive that award twice by being honored again in 1997. He has also had his name placed on the Sheridan Mixed Achievement Award, and the Sheridan Men’s Don Henley Memorial. Ron retired from the sport in 2002 only to start pitching again in 2012. Ron also served as his league’s Secretary.
Ron cared and looked out for his family, which he loved very much.
In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his brother, William “Bill” Etheridge.
He will be greatly missed by his wife and family, sons Timothy Holliday and Thomas (Rae Anne) Holliday, both of Sheridan, and daughter Tammy (Dallas) Fugett, Noblesville. Ron also leaves behind six loving grandchildren, Jessica, Jeremy, Cristy, David, Cory and Adam; as well as seven great-grandchildren, Makiya, Karissa, Jacob, Vikram, Lillian, Everleigh and Emmett. He will also be missed by his sisters, Bonnie Lambert, East Peoria, Ill., and Linda Antrim, Gas City, Ind.
Memorial services for Ron will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2020 in the basement at First Christian Church, 107 W. 3rd St., Sheridan. In order to keep everyone safe, the family is asking that everyone wear masks.