Age 81, Luray, Va.
Theodore Loy “Ted” Hollabaugh, 81 years old, of Luray, Va., died on December 28, 2023, in Harrisonburg, Va. Ted was born on March 6, 1942, in Phillipsburg, Pa., the son of the late Dorothy (Dixon) Pearce and the late Loy Wallace Hollabaugh, and the stepson of the late Blane Pearce.
Ted married Penny Grube in 1962. Soon after marriage, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Master Seargent after 20 years of service. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Ted worked for and retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation after 15 years of service. During his “retirement years,” Ted worked for Federal Ammunition Company as a sales representative and firearms instructor, he worked as a contract firearms instructor for the government, and he served as a Magistrate and was on the Jail Board for Page County. Ted was a member of the Luray VFW Post 621, the Masonic Lafayette Lodge 137, and The Scottish Rite.
Ted was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He loved being outdoors with his sons, grandsons, and dogs. He had several Labrador retrievers over the years, with Bess, Annie, Katie and grand-dog Bella all holding a special place in his heart. Ted was also an avid woodworker, and made the most beautiful turned bowls, furniture and other keepsakes that his family will always treasure. He was a master gunsmith, passing on his infinite amount of knowledge and passion for this trade to his sons and grandsons. They will do their best to carry on the legacy he built for them. Ted passed on his artistic talents to granddaughter, Brooke Anne, and his love for animals to granddaughter, Shelby.
Ted, also known as Dad, Pop, Grandpa, and Pa, was a Marine through and through. He was proud of earning the title of United States Marine, and the values learned from his years of service carried him through his entire life. Everyone who knew Ted knew he was a man of his word, a loyal friend, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved to share a good story and have a laugh with those he loved. To say he will be deeply missed is an understatement.
Ted is survived by his wife of 61 years, Penny Hollabaugh, of Luray, Va., his sons, Jeffrey L. Hollabaugh and his wife, Lucia, of Montclair, Va., and Todd Hollabaugh and his wife, Brandy of Luray, Va. Also surviving are grandchildren, Brooke Hollabaugh, Shelby Hollabaugh, Theodore W. Hollabaugh, Jeffrey R. Hollabaugh, and Jacob Hollabaugh; sister, Debra Pearce of Punxsutawney, Pa.; brother, Dallas Pearce of Derry, Pa.; brother-in-law, Richard Himes of Beaver Falls, Pa., and many loving nieces and nephews.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Maxine Himes, Janet Pearce, Jeannie Pearce, and Joan Schooley; mother-in-law, Nora Jaunita Grube, and father-in-law, Harland “Jake” Grube.
The family would like to give special thanks to the following people: Ruthie and Sarah from Legacy Hospice for their loving guidance and support; Emily Ryan, a dedicated advocate for Ted; the many caregivers at The Pheonix of Harrisonburg who loved Ted like one of their own and a very special thank you to friend and caregiver, Marion Simpson. Your special relationship with Ted brightened his days and helped comfort our hearts. We cannot express how much you meant to Ted and how much you mean to our family.
A celebration of Ted’s life will be conducted on Saturday January 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 1775 Semper Fidelis Way, Triangle, VA. 22172; ph: 1-800-397-7585, email: info@marineheritage.org.
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