Dwight Myers Holland

Dwight Myers Holland, 85, of Asheboro, died May 20, 2019, at Randolph Hospice House.

Born in Iredell County on July 9, 1933, he was the son of the late Ethel and J.W. Holland of Union Grove, North Carolina.  He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Dwight taught Art in the Asheboro City School system, until he retired and then developed the Interior Design, Photography, and Graphics programs at Randolph Community College, where he served as Chairperson of the Art and Design Division. Following his time at RCC, he became the Curator of Design at the North Carolina Zoological Park and later served as the Interim Director. After retiring from the State of North Carolina, Dwight began a second career as a Design Consultant and studio Potter.

Dwight was actively involved in his adopted home town. His many honors consisted of: 1967 Asheboro Young Educator; 1980 Asheboro Civitan Club, Citizen of the Year; North Carolina Arts Council State Award for Individual Achievement in the Arts; 1987 Asheboro-Randolph Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year: 2009 Order of the Cupola, East Carolina University; 2012 Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the Governor of North Carolina.

His imprint on Randolph County is lasting. He was the President and Founder of the Randolph Arts Guild, Chairperson of the Randolph County Planning Board, served on the following Board of Directors: Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce; Randolph County Friends of the Zoo; North Carolina Arts Council; North Carolina Pottery Center. He also was the co-chair of the committee which was responsible for Randolph County being selected as the home of the North Carolina Zoo.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Ruth Burgess and husband Bill; Elaine Baggerley and husband Gary; and Phyllis Holland. He is survived by his brothers; Robert and wife, Evelyn Holland of Cary, NC, Jimmy and wife, Mary Francis Holland of Statesville, NC, and Bill and wife, Lib Holland of Greer, SC. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

His family extends their gratitude to Mercedes and Felipe Vasquez, his caregivers and special friends for the love and compassion that they shared with him during his illness. Additionally, he would like to thank his special family, Mike and Vickie Durham, and Susan and Richard Garkalns. A special thank you to the staff of Randolph Hospice House for their compassionate care for Dwight in his final days.

A celebration of Dwight's life will be held at his home from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, June 1, 2019. His house is located at 3048 Old Cox Road, Asheboro, NC.

Memorials may be made to the Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC 27203 or East Carolina University, School of Art and Design, Mail Stop 502, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Holland family.