Mitchell Field Hollon

Mitchell Fields Hollon, MD was killed in a bicycling accident on the James Island Connector on July 5, 2011. Dr. Hollon was born in Wilmington, NC, but grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Cornersville, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee Summa Cum Laude in Chemistry in 1979, he attended the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1983. He completed his Residency in Anesthesia at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 1986 and a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Anesthesia the following year. He then joined the faculty of the Medical University. He participated in the first cardiac transplant in South Carolina on June 30, 1987 and was the anesthesiologist for every heart transplant, more than thirty, until he left the Medical University to enter private practice with Mt. Pleasant Anesthesia Associates at East Cooper Medical Center in 1990.

At the Medical University he was known for his meticulous and expert patient care, easy going manner, and dry and inventive wit. He was an excellent teacher and a favorite of patients, residents, and staff both at MUSC and at East Cooper. He always knew what to say to comfort patients. According to one of his partners, "he was the one you wanted beside you taking care of the sickest of patients." Dr. Hollon, "Mitch," was known for the self-effacing, dry, almost arid wit that hid beneath a seemingly taciturn exterior. Mitch was the master of saying much with very few words.  His style of speech and his mannerisms endeared him to all.  He was quick to share an opinion about anything especially if he saw the good-natured humor in it. He was a master of the email message, crafting them with a funny, fresh and descriptive style that endeared him to his friends and served as an immediate and attractive entre to strangers. He was never a man to boast. When paid a complement, he was always quick to deflect the conversation to something else. Mitch loved music and played the piano, banjo, guitar and clarinet. He had a wide knowledge of popular music, musicians and musical history. He was particularly fond of playing Scott Joplin Rags.

A vegetarian, he was an inventive and adventurous cook. He was a self-taught computer geek and built several home computers. He had a keen interest in finance, the markets and financial history. Mitch was a great sportsman. From wind surfing to cycling, he learned with enthusiasm and practiced with meticulous attention to detail.  He loved the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was an avid runner and hiker, completing several bridge runs in the 40 minute range until a knee injury forced him to take up cycling, his true and greatest avocation. He rode several times a week and a 3000-mile year was not unusual. He loved riding in the mountains, especially long, difficult climbs. He considered himself a "gearhead" and maintained his bicycles meticulously and built several road bikes of his own and several for friends. He was well known in the Charleston bicycling community but was wary of riding in groups for safety reasons.  He was always available to help with repairs and expert adjustments. Such was his attachment to the bicycle that he called new bicycle components "jewelry." He was devoted sports fan, faithfully supporting his Tennessee Vols and the Porter Gaud Cyclones.  He closely followed professional cycling, especially the Tour de France, recording video of every stage and updating cycling friends with text messages and commentary.

Finally, but most importantly, Mitch was a quiet man of faith.  He was a member of The East Cooper Baptist Church. On the few occasions he spoke openly of his faith, he expressed an understanding that faith in Jesus Christ was the key to a relationship with God.  Mitch's day-to-day humility and kindness were active displays of his love for God.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Henderson Hollon, his daughter Hannah Fields Hollon, Nan B. Hollon, his mother, of Cornersville, Tennessee, his brother Elvin Lee Hollon and his wife Marilyn, nephew Benjamin L. Hollon and his wife Katie, niece Melissa Hollon, all of Kansas City, Missouri. his wife's parents Walt and Johnnie Henderson, brother- in-law Randy Henderson and his wife Sandra, nieces Makenzie and Maggie Henderson, all of Greer, SC. Visitation will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John H. McNeill, 16 Guerard Road, Charleston, SC 29409 at from 7 until 9 PM, Friday, July 8, 2011. The memorial service will be at the East Cooper Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 on Saturday July 9, 2011 at 11AM. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL. You may honor Mitch's memory with a donation to The Mitch Hollon Memorial Bicycle Safety Fund, P.O. Box 600, Charleston, SC 29402 or to the East Cooper Baptist Church General Missions Fund.