John Brett Holloman

John Brett Holloman, 49, of Asheville, passed away Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 27, 1968, in Lumberton, NC. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Melissa, of the home; son, Mark Holloman (Hali), of Asheville; daughter, Vanessa Holloman Holt (Michael), of Weaverville; father and step-mother, John and Brenda Holloman, of Weaverville; mother, Phyllis Davis of Archdale, NC; sister, Lori Holloman Roberts (Tony), of N. Myrtle Beach, SC; step-sister, Sharon Teague (Stevie Hughes), of Asheboro, NC; step-brother, Larry Brown, Jr. (Kim), of Trinity, NC; grandson, Levi Holt, granddaughter, Jolene Holloman, and faithful canine companion, Daisy. Also surviving are many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins. Brett was raised in Trinity, NC. He moved to Asheville in 1988 after graduating from Trinity High School. He pursued his dream of Law Enforcement and graduated from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice in 1989. Brett loved the town of Woodfin and proudly served it for 27 years. He joined the Woodfin Police Department in 1990 as an officer. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1995 and Lieutenant in 2002. He served as Chief from 2004-2017. Brett was shot in the line of duty in February 1992, and was given Commendation of Valor in March of the same year. Brett received several awards during his career including Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, and General BLET instructor. In 2001, he earned his Advanced Certification and was an instructor for AB Tech’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program. Hundreds of officers and deputies passed through the block of instruction he taught, which was fittingly ethics. Brett was named Officer of the Year in 2016. Upon his retirement earlier this year he was awarded the highest honor of Police Chief Emeritrus. Brett was a Godly man and devoted family man who was active in his church and community. He was a member and attended Victory Baptist Church where he previously taught Sunday School, helped in TeamKid, VBS, church projects and was an ordained Deacon. He witnessed to many and inspired many both in person and on the radio. Brett was an avid gardener. He enjoyed sharing his harvest with family and friends. He played baseball (catcher) in his youth and was a lifetime Atlanta Braves fan. He was also a Duke Blue Devils basketball fan. He had an interest in flying and took lessons in his late teens and early twenties - going as far as taking solo flight. He earned his black belt in karate and loved martial arts. He loved being outside, and enjoyed spending time at Lake Waccamaw, NC, with his family. The family would like to thank those who have been involved in Brett’s care over the years, most especially his oncologist of 20 years, Dr. James Radford, the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Dr. Brown of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and his bone marrow donor. Brett packed a lot of living and giving in his 49 years. He leaves behind a loving family and a legacy of courage and tenacity in the face of many obstacles. Despite his long and brave battle with cancer, he never let it define who he was. He maintained a positive attitude and his faith never wavered. He taught those who knew him much about living and in the end, much about dying. Visitation will be on Thursday January 4 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Brookstone Church, 90 Griffee Rd., in Weaverville. The funeral will be held on Friday January 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Brookstone Church. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Candler, NC. Donations to the Holloman family to assist with funeral costs and other aspects of his recent hospital and hospice stay may be given at https://www.gofundme.com/3x2mefk to donate via credit or debit card; or you may drop off donations for the Holloman family directly at Woodfin Town Hall 90 Elk Mountain Road, Woodfin, NC 28804. Thank you for your service Brett! You will be missed.