John Phillip Hollinger

John Phillip Hollinger, age 56, passed away peacefully at home April 4, 2025, following a valiant fight against lung cancer.
Born August 27, 1968, in Chicago, IL, beloved son of Mark Hollinger, Grand Junction, and Katherine Kylen, Grand Junction. John faced lifelong challenges with a cheerful heart and can-do attitude. He incurred a brain injury when he was 14 months old and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He used a motorized wheelchair for mobility and required significant help with his everyday activities. He did not let that slow him down or dampen his spirits. Each morning, he woke with a smile, always eager to face the day and discover what might be in store for him. John moved from Chicago with his family out West to the Grand Junction area and grew up with his brothers on a farm outside Fruita where he enjoyed country living with lots of animals and outdoor activities. John graduated from Grand Junction High School and attended Mesa State College (now CMU). As a child and young adult, John attended American Lutheran Church of Grand Junction and had accepted Christ as his Savior. John was creative and enjoyed writing, serving as co-editor for "Viewpoints", the Center for Independence newsletter, for several years. He wrote his own recurring column and also designed the crossword and word find puzzles. John authored numerous short stories and used his computer to design comic book-style illustrations for several of them. This was a very laborious time-consuming process as he did it slowly, using one finger at a time. John loved superheroes -Batman, Superman and Spiderman were a few of his favorites. He was also a big fan of Star Trek, original series and Next Generation. John enjoyed bowling, which he could do with a ramp, and skiing on a sled with a tethered skier through Colorado Discover Ability. He liked to fish and would often go to Corn Lake. John was clever and enjoyed playing computer and table games, especially chess, Dungeons and Dragons, Risk and Yu-Gi-Oh. John had a gentle manner, always smiling and well-liked by everyone who got to know him. John was determined to be as independent as possible, patiently doing things his own way. He was always supportive and true to his friends. John was an animal lover, especially cats. He had four -Gia, Gordo, Paco and Patches. Gordo would ride along with John in his wheelchair, while Patches would follow him around the neighborhood during walks. Gia always waited for John to wake up in the morning. John had many amazing teachers, therapists and caregivers over the years and several grew into powerful relationships that were very meaningful to John. John was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, John and May Stoesser, Walter and Theda Hollinger, and dear aunt, Irene Stoesser. He is survived by his mother, Katherine Kylen and his father, Mark Hollinger (and wife, Linda), his best friend Rick, his older brother, Peter, his younger brother, Andrew (Flory), his nieces, Andrea, Megan, and Ana Hollinger, his godmother and treasured aunt, Barbara Mengarelli (Craig), uncle and godfather, John (late Dorian,) Stoesser, cousins Karla (Joe), Elena (Christopher), Erik, Stephanie (Eric), Evie and Eli. A memorial fund has been established to plant a tree and install a bench in John's memory in Columbine Park in Grand Junction where John frequently spent time enjoying nature and visiting with people. Donations may be mailed to Peter Hollinger, 464 26th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. John was God's special blessing in our lives, loved by many, now dearly missed. John has been cremated per his wishes. A celebration of John's life is planned for a later date.