John Leroy Holly, 82, of Mechanicsville, MD died March 17, 2013 at St. Mary's Nursing Center in Leonardtown, MD. Born July 21, 1930 in Clements, MD, he was the son of the late Louis C. Holly and Mary Beatrice Fredrick Holly.

Leroy was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. He was married to his late wife, Rose E. "Honey" Bankins Holly for 47 wonderful years before her death in 2007.

He worked in some aspect of transportation for most of his life. His first employment was as a bus driver for the St. Mary's County School System. Later he worked as a truck driver refueling airplanes at the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, MD and Andrews Air Force Base in Clinton, MD. Subsequently, Leroy worked for the District of Columbia Government, Department of Parks and Recreation, in Washington, DC for many years before retiring in 1991. He then returned to driving the school bus part-time, which he enjoyed and in turn was much loved and respected by the students who made a game of guessing what color turtleneck shirt he would wear each day.

He enjoyed baseball, bowling, fishing, and pitching horseshoes. He also enjoyed taking Sunday afternoon drives with his late wife Rose. His love of baseball began early in life. He gained a solid reputation as a top notch pitcher in what was then the Tri-County Negro League, playing for the Leonardtown Yankees and later the Oakville Tigers for many years.

Leroy was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he was an usher every Sunday. He is survived by his siblings, Louis X. Holly (Kathleen) of Washington, DC, Dorothy Marie Hawkins (Barry) of Hyattsville, MD, and Joseph H. Holly (Loretta) of Upper Marlboro, MD, nine other brother and sister-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Family will receive friends on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 9-10 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 29119 Point Lookout Road, Morganza, MD 20660. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Keith Woods at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 29119 Point Lookout Road, Morganza, MD 20660.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.