BY JIM MATTHEWS
Durwood Hollis, a long-time guns, hunting, and knife writer from Rancho Cucamonga, died while napping the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 22. Many sportsmen across Southern California and the country knew Hollis from his hunting and knife writing and hog hunting seminars. He was 80.
He wrote five books on hunting, including Upland Game & Waterfowl, North American Big Game, Hunting Knives, Elk: Strategies for the Hunter, The Complete Game Care Guide, and Hunting Monster Mule Deer (co-authored with Duwane Adams), and two books on knives, Knifemaking with Bob Loveless, a world famous knife maker, and Hunting Knives. Hollis hunted all over North America and had traveled to Africa and Europe in pursuit of stories.
Tributes and comments from Hollis’ writer friends in the hunting community poured in to the Hollis family since his death. Many of these well-known hunters were hosted and mentored by Hollis, when he co-owned a remote ranch on California’s Central Coast and actively hunted wild hogs on public lands.
, Durwood knew his stuff as well or better than anyone else in the industry. But most of all, I think of Durwood for his humanity. He was a joyfully complex individual who will be missed by those who knew him. RIP Durwood. It was a great ride. Glad to have been with you along the way.”</p>
<p>A number of other writers and friends all commented on three things about Hollis. They were things that shone through, even in the often crass atmosphere of hunting camps and gatherings of gun and hunting writers: Hollis always prayed before eating, there was no swearing, and he didn’t drink alcohol. He was a man who lived his principles.</p>
<p>Hollis had been undergoing dialysis for kidney failure for the past 18 months and had an ongoing heart condition. He’d just celebrated his 80th birthday. Hollis was born in Los Angeles July 8, 1940 and graduated from Westchester High School before attending El Camino College where he earned his associate degree. He then attended Brigham Young University and then Cal State Los Angeles, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May, 1969. Durwood also served in the U.S. Army Reserves.</p>
<p>Durwood worked for the Los Angeles County Health Department Investigations for 35 years, retiring in 2005. He worked as a private investigator before working for the county. Throughout those years at the Health Department also wrote and traveled extensively.</p>
<p>Hollis is survived by his wife Anita, children Kailea Hollis, Dustin Hollis, Brendan Hollis, Karlynda Thornburg and Kristen Black. He also has 18 grandchildren.</p>
<p>Durwood Hollis’s memorial service was held 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 at Upland Lighthouse Church, Ontario, where he faithfully attended church every Sunday – unless he was away hunting.</p>
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