Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jan 15, 2015 10:36:51 GMT -6
Craig Holyoak, longtime cartoonist for the Deseret News, died Tuesday at age 64. Holyoak began drawing in college and worked as a police officer for several years before becoming a career artist.
www.deseretnews.com/article/865619638/Longtime-Deseret-News-cartoonist-dies-at-64.html?pg=all
SALT LAKE CITY — A longtime artist and member of the Deseret News visual team died Tuesday.
Craig Holyoak, 64, passed away after several painful years of health complications. He was diagnosed just three weeks earlier with Parkinson's disease.
Holyoak was born July 10, 1950, in Salt Lake City, served several years a police officer in Newark, California, and Cedar City, and spent the last years of his life in Cottonwood Heights.
Holyoak, who worked at Deseret News for almost 26 years, is remembered for sharing witty cartoons and smart conversations with everyone he met.
"Craig was a talented artist and, more importantly, just an all-around great guy. Everyone liked Craig. Craig liked everyone. When Craig was in the room, the room was a better place," said Rick Hall, Deseret News managing editor.
Holyoak was the father of five children and two step-children, the grandfather of six grandchildren, and the curator of a large at-home library. His first wife, Sherri Ann Holyoak, died in 1998 at age 45 after a battle with cancer. He married Nancy Greenhalgh in 2004, and the couple enjoyed 10 happy years travelling whenever possible to bask in the red rock splendor of southern Utah.
Holyoak's love of art began as a child when he and his brother would meet at their favorite spot in the house to draw together, Greenhalgh said. He cartooned his way through his law enforcement career and college before joinng the Deseret News, where his co-workers became his family.
"He was one of those people who make you feel comfortable and was so kind. … We were a family," said Mary Archbold, Deseret News assistant page design manager, who recalls the personalized cards and banners Holyoak would make for co-workers.
Bob Noyce, former art director for the Deseret News, recounted many lunch breaks accompanying Holyoak to look for new books, especially anything related to history and the Civil War.
"He had an easy manner about him that made him many friends. He'd always have someone at his desk discussing everything from politics to their personal lives, and he'd have advice or just listen. He was a good listener," Noyce said.
Holyoak was known throughout the newsroom for his elaborate practical jokes.
In the last years of his life, Holyoak developed a tremor in his left hand, Greenhalgh said. Over the past six months, his right hand began to tremor, impacting his ability to draw. Nevertheless, Holyoak kept with his tradition of carrying several quality pens at all times, in case inspiration struck.
A memorial service at the Cottonwood Country Club will be announced by family members in the coming week.
Email: mromero@deseretnews.com, Twitter: McKenzieRomero
www.deseretnews.com/article/865619638/Longtime-Deseret-News-cartoonist-dies-at-64.html?pg=all
SALT LAKE CITY — A longtime artist and member of the Deseret News visual team died Tuesday.
Craig Holyoak, 64, passed away after several painful years of health complications. He was diagnosed just three weeks earlier with Parkinson's disease.
Holyoak was born July 10, 1950, in Salt Lake City, served several years a police officer in Newark, California, and Cedar City, and spent the last years of his life in Cottonwood Heights.
Holyoak, who worked at Deseret News for almost 26 years, is remembered for sharing witty cartoons and smart conversations with everyone he met.
"Craig was a talented artist and, more importantly, just an all-around great guy. Everyone liked Craig. Craig liked everyone. When Craig was in the room, the room was a better place," said Rick Hall, Deseret News managing editor.
Holyoak was the father of five children and two step-children, the grandfather of six grandchildren, and the curator of a large at-home library. His first wife, Sherri Ann Holyoak, died in 1998 at age 45 after a battle with cancer. He married Nancy Greenhalgh in 2004, and the couple enjoyed 10 happy years travelling whenever possible to bask in the red rock splendor of southern Utah.
Holyoak's love of art began as a child when he and his brother would meet at their favorite spot in the house to draw together, Greenhalgh said. He cartooned his way through his law enforcement career and college before joinng the Deseret News, where his co-workers became his family.
"He was one of those people who make you feel comfortable and was so kind. … We were a family," said Mary Archbold, Deseret News assistant page design manager, who recalls the personalized cards and banners Holyoak would make for co-workers.
Bob Noyce, former art director for the Deseret News, recounted many lunch breaks accompanying Holyoak to look for new books, especially anything related to history and the Civil War.
"He had an easy manner about him that made him many friends. He'd always have someone at his desk discussing everything from politics to their personal lives, and he'd have advice or just listen. He was a good listener," Noyce said.
Holyoak was known throughout the newsroom for his elaborate practical jokes.
In the last years of his life, Holyoak developed a tremor in his left hand, Greenhalgh said. Over the past six months, his right hand began to tremor, impacting his ability to draw. Nevertheless, Holyoak kept with his tradition of carrying several quality pens at all times, in case inspiration struck.
A memorial service at the Cottonwood Country Club will be announced by family members in the coming week.
Email: mromero@deseretnews.com, Twitter: McKenzieRomero