Dr. Frank Parker Holladay, age 72, was born in Bakersfield, California, to James Ventress and Joan Peacock Holladay. He passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 14, 2026 surrounded by his family.
After completing his undergraduate degree at University of California-Berkeley where he majored in Zoology, he continued his education to become a physician at Creighton University. He specialized in neurosurgery during his residency in University of Kentucky Medical Center. He took his specialty to Queens Square Hospital, in London, England, where he spent six months of continuing study. The Kansas City area was blessed when he was recruited to K.U. Medical Center to practice Neurosurgery and where he called Kansas City, home for the rest of his adventuresome life.
Dr. Holladay was a devoted neurosurgeon whose skill, compassion and gentle bedside manner, defined a career of service and compassion. His expertise was in treating spinal fusion, spinal stenosis and spondylitis, among other conditions. Dr. Holladay pioneered research neurosurgery in treating glioblastoma tumors with surgical and cutting edge post-surgical treatments. He had privileges, not only at KU Med Center but also, Providence Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center.
Frank was a modern day Renaissance man. He was passionate about art, dance, music and even the bagpipes. He valued an endless pursuit of knowledge and exploring the world and its different cultures, which included learning both Japanese and Spanish. His passions were cars, the arts, antiques and scuba diving. He loved spending time at his cabin at Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire and his chateau in Normandy, France. He was an avid supporter of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, of London England, and would watch matches together with his family.
He surrounded himself with beauty, including his daughter Rachel Holladay-Jansen (Tyler) and their children, Charles James and Parker Elizabeth; son Frank “Joseph” Holladay (Marin) and their son, Frank Vincent; and his youngest son, James Parker Holladay; and the children’s mother Debra Ann Holladay. He also leaves behind his only sister, Ellen Holladay-Hibbett (Peter) of California.
His family, colleagues, and patients will remember him for his generosity, sharp wit, and bravery, intelligence, and passion for his profession.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64112 on Thursday May 21, 2026 A visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., the funeral Mass is at 11:00 a.m., and a luncheon following in Tighe Hall, at the church.
Private family burial service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Menorah Hospital, 5721 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS 66209
A special thanks to the gentle souls from Ascend Hospice and Funeral Advocates, LLC for their guidance and advocacy.
6 years ago Dr Holladay operated on my back and I will forever be grateful for his skills and medical attention. My legs had become very weak as the main muscles were lose at my lower back. The operation took 6 hours at Providence Hospital; that night nurses came in at 3 am to ask is I wanted to try to get up to pee. When they helped me stand I started to cry as I could tell immediately that my legs were back……I am 82 and have been walking and swimming at the Providence YMCA every day for 21 years and am so grateful that I have been able to walk so strongly these last 6 years. I am so sorry for your loss and also so sorry for the medical field without Dr. Holladay – what a big loss for us all.
I worked with frank as a staff RN a few times, he also did a lami, and cervical fusion on me. Great surgeon, and a really good human being! Sad to see he passed. Prayers for the family.
So sad to hear of Dr. Holliday’s passing. He was so good to me. I unfortunately had a cervical herniation 20 years ago. One year later, I was in a car accident, which broke the original fusion. After 2 additional surgeries, I felt his compassion and concern for me as a patient, which is hard to find. He was admired by myself and my husband.
I got to know Frank six or seven years ago when I became his Realtor in Richmond, Missouri. He & Nori & I bought & sold many properties together & developed a great friendship. We loved having lunch together at the Mexican Resturant. He loved his home there & filled it with beautiful furniture that he may have picked up on his many travels. He learned that my dad had trouble with his back & some past surgeries & wanted to take a look at him. He got us right in for an appointment & soon enough he was operating on my dad & made his pain go away & his walking & mobility improved tremendously. I am thankful for Frank. He was a dear friend & will be missed.
I first met Dr. Holladay in the emergency room at Providence Medical Center. I was only a few months out of my emergency medicine residency at that time. I remember that I had a critically ill patient who was a Do Not Resuscitate and was surprised that Dr. Holladay asked me to admit the patient to the ICU. I reminded him that the patient was Do Not Resuscitate, and he answered simply (and correctly) that Do Not Resuscitate did not mean Do Not Treat. I’ve never forgotten that bit of wisdom and endless valuable lessons since that shaped my medical career. He even took the time to help coach me in some of the more obscure neurosurgical concepts when I was preparing for my boards recertifications. More recently he got me started doing Duolingo to learn Chinese and I’m on an 1823 day streak thanks to him. I’m sorry he never got to see Tottenham win the EPL title, and that he did not see them become safe from relegation. I will miss you, my friend.
Dr Holladay was my savior, I believe I am still able to walk because of him and his skills, Rest in peace Dr Holladay. You will be missed
I met Dr Holladay at Providence Medical center, as a new registered nurse. He really cared for his patients. I could call him in the middle of the night, as I worked the night shift, and never, Ever, did he get mad!
I had always wanted to call him Doc Holladay!! He was definitely the best doctor in neurosurgery!! He will never be second in my opinion! A great treasure. He will be missed!!!
Rachel, Joseph and James – I knew your father for about 20 years. I too was a patient seeking pain relief. He performed a 12 hour surgery on my spine with instrumentation and from there forward we were better friends than Doctor and Patient.
You had a wonderful Dad and he spoke so highly of all of you AND his grandchildren.
Hoping there was time following his final retirement which he got to enjoy.
What a monumental loss.
My deepest sympathies to all of you.
Rest in Peace, my friend!!!❤️
Suzi Cammon
had a Back Fusion nine years ago July 12, 2017 done on my L4-L5. My surgery was the best thing I could have ever done. Dr. Frank Holladay gave me my life back. I wish I could thank him. 😥
I just found out after seeing a memory post about my surgery that he passed away on May 14, 2026. He was such a wonderful kind man. So caring. I remember my first visit with him. He sat on a little stool looking up at me and listened to every word I said. He told me he could give me the life back that I had before my Spondylolisthesis (a detached vertebrae that had slid clear forward) started causing me so much nerve pain. I wanted my leg cut off it hurt so bad. He scheduled me for surgery at the end of that month. I had my surgery and it lasted 5 hours. He told us it would take 3. He cut into my back and found out it was much worse than they could see on my MRI. He put in 2 rods and 4 screws. I have a 5 inch scar as a badge. He also did a laminectomy which he told us after surgery that I needed done during surgery. He cleaned up all the arthritis around my vertebrae and used that for my fusion instead using cadaver bone. He told the nurse I promised this sweet lady I would give her back her life. So he spent an extra 2 hours doing that. I got back to my room at 7p.m.. The next morning I was able to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom without nerve pain, just had surgery pain. I cried happy tears. I tried everything that day going up stairs, walking 6 times around the nurses station, sat in a chair to eat breakfast. I went home at 4 p.m. the day after my surgery. He did what he said he would do. He gave me my life back. 🥰 I will never forget him or what he did for me.
A few years ago I text him and left him a message on his phone( he had called me on my cell one day to thank me for flowers I had left for him at his office on my one year anniversary of my surgery and I wasn’t there to answer it) I was asking him if he could refer me to a Dr. To look at my shoulder that had been hurting) This was right between Christmas and New Years. I thought it would go to his hospital phone and his nurse would send me a reference for a Dr. After the holidays. It was 10 minutes later Charlie had to answer my phone when I left the room. He came and told me that Dr. Holladay was on the phone. Long story short. This nice man called and asked me how my back was going then proceeded to do a house call over the phone about my shoulder. He asked me what was going on with my shoulders etc. I was so shocked that he had called me. He gave me a Dr’s name. He even told me that it was probably a torn rotator cuff and if it was and I ended up with surgery would I please let him know 3 months after the surgery how I was doing. I said I would. This man took time out of his holiday to help me. I didn’t know they made this kind of Dr anymore. Well I didn’t end up having shoulder surgery. I had forgotten about telling him I would call since I didn’t have surgery. Well after 3 months my phone rang. It was Dr. Holladay doing a follow up call on my shoulder. 🥰🥰. He wanted to know how it went and if it was ok . Come to find out my first message about my shoulder went to his private phone. He asked me how I had gotten it. I was so embarrassed. I didn’t know I had it. I told him I didn’t know I had it. I told him I thought he had called from work to thank me for the flowers I gave him after my anniversary of my back surgery. He laughed and said “oh I remember now. I thought it was so nice I just picked up my phone to call and thank you and left you a message.” 🥰😂
Sorry this is so long I didn’t know he had passed away until I went to check to make sure how to spell his last name and I came across his obituary. It made me cry. 😥😥 Such a wonderful man. I hope he Rests
in Peace. I had to share my story about him. 😥😥😥
I just learned of Dr. Holladay’s passing. He performed three surgeries on me and completely changed my life. I was blessed to have his personal cell number and he never failed to return my call or text. He was a blessing to all who knew him and had the privilege to be in his care. I pass on my condolences to his family.
Dr. Holladay worked on my back twice. He is a genius. I only came across this obit because someone asked if I knew a great neurosurgeon and of course I said him. She sent a message that he had passed. What a great man and so very skilled at his trade