Robert Holladay's life was the feature presentation Sunday at the Paramount Theatre.

A matinee memorial to the man who made the downtown Abilene theater, opened in 1930, his home away from home, honored "the guy who talks before the movies at the Paramount."

Holladay died Dec. 2. He was 79.

A Renaissance man

What became clear to those who didn't know Holladay well was that he was much more than "Mr. Paramount" or the "grand marshal of Abilene's fine arts community," two titles lovingly bestowed on him across the years.

He was honored Sunday as Uncle Obbie, as a teacher, as a world traveler and as a man of faith. To the latter, he wryly observed that "beyond loving God and loving your neighbor, it gets pretty complicated," Jared Reynolds said.

Holladay insisted that biblical knowledge was essential to continuing education.

"I don't care if you're a heathen, you've got to know the Bible," he'd say.

That said, Holladay was someone who lived the mantra "do no harm," it was stated in several ways Sunday.

Jay Lester, a former Holladay student and current president of the Paramount board, called his mentor and friend a Renaissance man.

"No one read as much or retained as much," he said. 

Holladay, Lester said, was the Google, Siri and Alexa of his day.

It was joked that what Holladay was not was Steve Jobs, needing family and friends to help him navigate the tech world. But at his fingertips was a vast knowledge of culture, in its many forms.

A beloved educator

Holldays' work ethic was noted, including his arrival two hours before class to prepare for his day at Cooper High School, where he taught for 42 years, and then staying after school until he drove north on Sayles Boulevard to McMurry University to teach at night. He taught there for 30 years.

Combined, he taught an estimated 20,000 students over the years.

A Hardin-Simmons graduate, he had hopes to teach across town at McMurry but there was not an opening. He was advised to teach at Cooper.

In a 2005 video tribute provided by Abilene ISD's Rob Westman, Holladay commented about teaching public school: "I'd rather die."

Yet, when an opening at McMurry came a year later, he declined. He had found his calling.

He stayed at Cooper for decades, starting a classic film night at his home until those became too big. He moved the screenings to Cooper, and a film society there drew in many students.

Among those was Jess Cagle, a 1983 graduate who'd make a career in entertainment.

Cagle on Sunday said "Mr. Holladay" encouraged students to "indulge in our dreams and passions and curiosities." And, to drink Tab and pop M&Ms.

Learning, Cagle said, became a joy, not a chore. Holladay twice was the school's teacher of the year.

When it was time for him to speak, Theron Holladay, Holladay's nephew, told Cagle, "My uncle loved you and was so proud of you."

A sense of humor, too

Theron Holladay compared his uncle to George Bailey, the hero of "It's a Wonderful Life." As a side note, he said actor Jimmy Stewart, who played Bailey in the movie, in later years expressed his appreciation to Robert Holladay and the Paramount for remaining a home to classic films.

Holladay's dry sense of humor sprang to life several times. Holladay never would recommend a movie titled "Through A Glass Darkly," and was pained that people didn't know Ingmar Bergman, who directed that film, from actress Ingrid Bergman.

While Holladay's service to students and community was duly noted, so was his dedication to his family.

Morgan Taylor Holladay related the encouragement of her great uncle, and said she was most proud that he was known as an educator and a teacher.

She once asked him why that was so important.

Because, he told her, he wanted to share "all the wonderful things I have experienced in life."

There's no place like home

The almost 90-minute service offered the signing of "The Song of Raintree County" by William Reed, Abilene Idol just a few years back. Reed also sang the aria "Nessun dorma," a tribute to Holladay's fondness for opera. Reed joked that he often wanted to talk movies with Robert Holladay and they did ... for five minutes before Holladay turned the conversation to opera.

In "The Wizard of Oz," Dorothy learns that here's no place like home.

Robert Holladay's second home to his own living room and hallways filled with movies and recordings was the Paramount. Born May 22, 1940, family lore has it that he was at the theater three days later. 

The magic for him perhaps began that day, and he was encouraged to go to the movies. If he kept up his grades. Of course, he did.

Fittingly, the Paramount was his last stop Sunday. 


Robert Holladays' 5 best biblical movies

  As announced Sunday at the late movie aficionado's memorial service:

"Barabbas," 1961

"The Robe," 1953

"King of Kings," 1961

"The Ten Commandments," 1956

"Ben-Hur," 1959

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