Albert Elvin Hollowell, 86: Retired YMCA executive

By Rick Badie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Once Albert Hollowell started work for the YMCA, he never left.

"That's what you did in those days," said Juanita Hollowell, his wife of 61 years. "You stayed."

Fresh out of college, the Midwesterner was hired as a physical education director for the YMCA in Columbus, Ohio. He moved up the organization's career ladder through the years, holding posts in Indianapolis, Illinois and eventually the YMCA's  national Southern office in Atlanta.

In all, Mr. Hollowell logged 35 years with the Young Men's Christian Association. Needless to say, he believed strongly in its mission: to nurture young people, promote healthy living and foster some sense of social responsibility.

"It was a good career," his wife said, "and he was always happy, particularly when he was in the consulting business. He liked working with young people and he mentored a lot of the young directors."

On Saturday, Albert Elvin Hollowellof Dacula died from complications of prostate cancer at his home. He was 86. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church. Bill Head Funeral Homes & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hollowell was born in Springfield, Ohio. He graduated from Wittenberg University, a liberal arts college in his hometown, with a  bachelor's degree in physical education. The physical director's job at the Columbus Y was his first with the organization. From there, he held executive posts at the organization's Hilltop branch in the same city, and at a location in downtown Indiana.

For five years, Mr. Hollowell worked as a consultant based out of a YMCA national office in Naperville, Ill. In 1970, the Braves fan relocated to the Atlanta national office to oversee operations in Louisiana, Florida and Alabama, among other states. He retired in 1984.

"He advised a lot of the young directors," his wife said. "There were a lot of changes in the organization over the years, and he didn't like to see all the changes. But the basic purpose was still there and he believed in that."

In retirement, Mr. Hollowell and his wife traveled the country in search of antiques and collectibles. Every month, the couple would take a week or so to shop for items, then prepare  them for show at antique markets like the Pride of Dixie in Norcross and Lakewood in Atlanta.

At one time, Mr. Hollowell specialized in old cast-iron skillets and pots. The World War II Navy veteran would refurbish them, then sell them.

"It was a great retirement business," his wife said. "We didn't have a shop; we wanted to have more fun than that. We did it for 20 years."

Additional survivors include two sons, Jeffrey Hollowell of  Dacula; David Hollowell of Tampa; a daughter, Cynthia Hollowell of Lawrenceville; a sister, Marjorie McKune of  Nashville, Ind.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.