Henry Michael “Mike” Holleyman passed away December 9, 2022. Mike was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 7, 1944 to Hank and Shirley Holleyman. The family put down roots in Norman, Oklahoma after his father retired from the US Navy. Mike graduated from Norman High School in 1962 and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. His studies were put on hold when he followed his father’s example and joined the US Navy. As part of the Navy’s 40th Mobile Construction Battalion Seabees, known as the Fighting 40, he completed two decorated tours in Vietnam. Upon returning home, he continued studies at OU and graduated from the College of Architecture in 1973. Soon after, Mike opened his architecture firm, Holleyman Associates, in South Oklahoma City. As a family, we like seeing the local and nationwide projects he had a hand in designing.
His Muskogee (Creek) heritage was very important to him, and he incorporated that into his profession. Mike designed mostly for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, helping to construct buildings on native reservations all over the United States. In addition, he served two terms as President of the American Indian Council of Architects and served for many years as the treasurer. He was a fierce proponent of supporting the use and hiring of Native American professionals, and was a strong and passionate mentor for young and aspiring Native American architects and designers. One of Mike’s proudest accomplishments was being asked to consult on the design of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
His family will always remember his love of reading, his dog Elly, and all genres of music. As well as his love for pottery and art, and his beloved Oklahoma Sooners (Beat Texas!). Norman, OK, Scottsdale, AZ and The Villages, FL were his favorite places to be.
Mike is survived by his wife, Peggy; brothers Bobby, Dale, Rick and Larry; sister Toni; children Kerri Hibdon and spouse Mark, Clay Griffin and spouse Maria, Clint Griffin, Brooke Mitchusson, Melanie Kyle Blankenship and spouse Clint and Michael Holleyman; 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Hudson “Hank” Holleyman and his wife Phyllis, Shirley Hobbs and her husband Tom, grandmother Ruth, wife Joni Spacek Holleyman, and granddaughter Jadyn Griffin.
A memorial of Mike’s life will be held at Big Creek Church of the Brethren, 101 N. Brethren Road, Cushing, Oklahoma Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Big Creek Church of the Brethren, 101 N. Brethren Road, Cushing, OK 74023. 918-2252571 and/or Traditions Hospice of Edmond, 14324 N. Western, Edmond, OK 73013. 405-936-9433
