Remembering Vard Terry (1953-2025)
Former Holloway President worked at Holloway from 1971-2022
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of former Holloway President Vard Terry, Jr.
Vard, who worked at Holloway for more than 50 years, was a fixture in the South Valley agriculture industry and community for six decades.
Words can’t begin to explain what Vard meant to the Holloway family and those around him.
Mr. Terry, or “Coach” as some of his friends called him, was a friend, mentor, colleague, confidant, advocate … and first and foremost, a family man, who dedicated his life to family, faith and service to the community.
“Family meant the world to him,” said his son Daniel Terry, Holloway’s Senior Vice President and Head of Ag Products and Services. “He cared about the people around him more than most people ever will.”
And that empathy and care extended to his fellow coworkers at Holloway, where Vard worked from 1971-2022.
“At Holloway, he cared about doing right by the grower, and the employees,” Daniel added. “That goes to show the kind of person he was. He didn’t do things with the expectation of getting something in return. He did it because it was the right thing to do, and he was passionate about the people and causes he cared about.”
Daniel and Vard at the Lost Hills mine in 2021.
Holloway CEO Brian Maxted echoed those sentiments, noting Holloway would not be the company it is today without Vard’s leadership, experience and dedication.
“Starting as an equipment operator and retiring as the Company’s President, Vard dedicated his professional life to Holloway with 50 years of service, a rarity in today’s business culture,” Maxted said.
“Even more rare was who Vard was as a person – salt of the earth; unwavering in character; family focused and with an authentic kindness that was infectious to all who had the pleasure to interact with him. Vard was the best of us, and he will be sorely missed.”
A graduate of Wasco High in 1972, Vard began his career at Holloway’s Lost Hills gypsum mine just two days after his 18th birthday. From that first job running equipment at the mine, to his eventual role as company President in 2012, Vard was a reassuring remainder that though times change, values can stay the same.
“I’ve not only worked as an employee for Holloway, I grew up in the Holloway business,” Terry said in Dec. 2021, shortly before celebrating his 50th anniversary at the company. “My dad was mining superintendent for 50+ years, so as a kid growing up I spent many Saturdays and Sundays at the mine with my dad, horsing around and loving the desert out there. I loved watching the heavy equipment run. I wasn’t one for the dust, but that was all part of it. As I got a little older, I got a motorcycle, and I rode that all over out there.”
Vard as a youngster at the mine in Lost Hills.
Vard went on to become a Shareholder, Board Member and President of Holloway, carrying forward a family tradition — working alongside his father, Vard, Sr., his brother, Allen, and brother-in-law Charles (all worked at the company for 50 years), and later his son, Daniel.
Vard retired in April 2022, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, integrity and loyalty.
“Vard always demonstrated the utmost in honesty and integrity with a commitment to understanding the needs of the farming community,” Jason M. Proctor, Owner of Proctor/Crookshanks Companies, said in Dec. 2021. “With Vard’s insight and leadership, Holloway has continued to stay on the cutting edge of improving soil conditions and developing cost-effective solutions to increase agricultural production.”
Vard speaking at Holloway’s 90th Anniversary Party
And while Holloway has seen rapid growth in recent years, Vard helped ensure the company remained true to its roots and values – keeping the Holloway family tradition alive with BBQs, house gatherings and other outings with the team. Vard and his wife Carol also remained active in the community for decades, passionate about giving back, even in retirement.
Vard, who grew up in Wasco and also spent a lot of time in Lost Hills and Bakersfield during his Holloway days, eventually moved to Morro Bay after his retirement in 2022.
Vard and Carol cherished their 48 years of marriage together. They enjoyed traveling, family gatherings, and dinners with friends.
“Friends and family were always important to him, as was tradition,” Carol said. “He kept up the tradition from his father with family barbeques on Sundays. We went fly fishing, even when the kids were little, in our little (float) tubes, launching at the lake. Everyone always loved that. And he really loved doing something fun with the employees, whether it was going to Las Vegas, golfing, he just enjoyed all of the people in his life.”
Carol and Vard at the Rotary Club Winemakers’ Cookoff in 2022 in Paso Robles.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Vard’s faith and community were central to his life.
Vard served as a reserve sheriff in Wasco for a time, and was an active member of many local organizations, which provided Vard with an opportunity to give back. He was especially proud of his work in assisting with the creation of programs like Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.
Vard and his family were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wasco, and later St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bakersfield, where he served and worshipped faithfully.
Vard found joy in simple pleasures. He loved watching baseball and his children and grandchildren play sports. Some of his favorite times included golfing, hunting and fishing with friends and family.
His witty stories, warm smile, and genuine interest in others made him a treasure to be around. He built lasting friendships wherever he went.
“Vard was like Norm at Cheers, he’d walk through the door and everybody knew him and everyone called him by his name,” said longtime friend Gary Garcia, operations manager at Golden Empire Shelling. “He was always so positive, he’d just grin and laugh, and was a comforting guy who didn’t add to the nonsense when things weren’t going well. He was always upbeat, even when people were down.”
Vard welcoming and enjoying time with his friends. Photo courtesy Gary Garcia.
Vard will forever be remembered in the hearts of those he interacted with: his colleagues, customers, friends and family.
And he will always remain part of the Holloway family.
“Growing up, I felt like it was always a family here,” Terry said. “Not only was I a little young runt kid, but I was part of the Holloway family. I think that’s one of the things, when we look at the Holloway employee base, that’s a big difference. People are made to feel like family here.
“They’re worth something. And as long as you’re able to do your job, you’re going to remain part of that family. … Even when you leave, you remain part of the Holloway family.”
___
Vard is survived by his wife, Carol; sisters Glenda and Judy; children Vard, Cory, and Daniel; their spouses; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his brother Allen and parents, Vard and Joyce Terry.
A memorial service for Vard will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield, CA.
The family is considering opportunities to celebrate Vard’s life and legacy through donations to the community. Details will be shared at VardTerry.com as plans are made.