Ex-School Board trustee Hollingsworth, 82, dies

Howard E. Hollingsworth, a retired educator remembered for his love of children and service as a Clark County School Board member, died Monday. He was 82.

For 29 years, Hollingsworth was an educator for the Clark County School District. He followed that with 12 years on the School Board.

Retired district Superintendent Brian Cram said Hollingsworth loved children. Cram and Hollingsworth were principals at the same time, and Cram became superintendent in 1989 when Hollingsworth was a board member.

"He was the most dedicated educator I ever knew," Cram said. "He was just a great guy."

In 2003, the district recognized Hollingsworth's contributions to education by naming a new elementary school after him. Hollingsworth Elementary School is at 1776 E. Ogden Ave., near Fremont and Bruce streets.

Doug Wilson, the principal who opened the school, recalled that Hollingsworth would shake every child's hand on the first day of school.

He liked to bring treats to students on Halloween and Valentine's Day, and he read to classes during National Reading Week.

"He was a very warm and friendly gentleman," Wilson said.

Hollingsworth wanted every child to "get the best education and to do the best they could," Wilson said.

Hollingsworth was born in Preston, Idaho, in 1927. He graduated from Idaho State University in 1953 and received his master's degree in 1962 from Arizona State University.

His teaching career began in his hometown of Preston, where he taught in a two-room schoolhouse and filled multiple roles as a coach, custodian, lunch coordinator and occasional bus driver.

Hollingsworth moved to Las Vegas in 1955 and taught at Rancho High School for 11 years.

He later served as a principal at Fremont, Von Tobel and J.D. Smith middle schools before retiring in 1984. After he retired, he joined the School Board in 1985, guiding the district though a time of growth and transition.

Hollingsworth also served as a leader within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, twice as bishop.

The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. toda y at the Civic Center and North Tonopah Chapel, 2401 E. Tonopah Ave., North Las Vegas.