Michael (Chris) Christopher Hollifield

Michael Christopher Hollifield was born on a Sunday morning in the rectory of Christ Church Episcopal in Beatrice, Nebraska on April 15, 1945 to Rev. Joseph and Doreen Clinton Hollifield.

The family moved to serve churches in Birmingham, Alabama and Irving, Texas, where he graduated from Irving High School.
After enlisting in the US Army in 1968, he served two tours in Vietnam and in Germany, earning his expert sharpshooter and serving in explosive ordinance disposal units until his discharge with the rank of SSG in 1972.

Following his honorable discharge, he attended Texas A&M in Kingsville, Texas where he became a lifelong rodeo enthusiast, and even gave bull riding a try. After graduation, he joined the Texas State Comptroller’s Office in Corpus Christi, Texas as a tax auditor.

He transferred to the Dallas branch of the Comptroller’s Office in the mid 1970’s and purchased 37 acres in Celina, Texas, where he built his home and outbuildings with his own hands, fenced and landscaped the property, improved the pastures, enlarged the ponds and raised cattle.

Chris married Deborah Elizabeth Baker at Trinity Presbyterian Church on June 10, 1989 – she called him, “MGFG: My Gift from God.” He always helped her to be the best she could be, helping her manage her political campaigns for Denton County Justice of the Peace for 15 years; helping her attend Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, enabling her mission projects and trips and serving Presbyterian congregations with her in Texas, Guymon, OK and Newton, Kansas.

He retired from the Comptroller’s Office after 32 years of service, and he and Deborah moved to Guymon, Oklahoma to serve the Presbyterian church there. While living in Guymon, he was an active volunteer for years with the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, the 2002 PRCA’s Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year, and was serving on its committee when the rodeo was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2015. Many nationally top-ranking cowboys participate in the Pioneer Days Rodeo, and they often requested Chris’s help there and at other rodeo events, because of his reputation for friendliness, reliability and because he did such quality work. The rodeo honored Chris’s work with the Justin Boots Standard of the West Award.

Chris was always active in the mission of the church, helping groups rebuild in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina; in Texas after Hurricane Ike; helping sponsor a Brazilian soccer skills camp for immigrant children in Guymon; helping a sister congregation sponsor a baseball camp in Belo Horizonte, Brazil; and most recently, traveling and working with St. Philip’s Episcopal Men’s Work Team. He often said, “We’re happiest when we’re helping others.”

He was very proud of their son, Jake, and their grandchildren, Gray, Valencia and Thea. He loved his wife, his farm and working the rodeo. He would always give his time and expect nothing in return.

Chris is survived by his loving wife Deborah Hollifield; son Jacob Andrew Baker; grandchildren Gray Ocean Baker, Valencia Iris Baker and Thea Clementine Baker; siblings Patrick Joseph Hollifield and his wife Barbara, Daniel Edward Hollifield and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Thomas Weir and Don Michael Moore.

There will be a funeral service held Friday, March 13, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco, Texas with Rev. Clayton Elder officiating. There will be a reception at the church following the service.

Chris will be laid to rest at The Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, Friday, March 13, 2020 at 2:00 P.M.

If desired, contributions may be made in Chris' name to the Men's Mission Team at St Philip's Episcopal Church.