Rex Hollis

Rex Donald Hollis (born c. 1929 in Sylacauga; died May 21, 2009) was the founder of Jim Davenport's Pizza Palace in Mountain Brook Village.

Hollis, the son of Fred and Marry Hollis of Sylacauga, grew up there and in Childersburg. He graduated from Thompson High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He played semi-pro baseball in Oklahoma and Minnesota after high school, and worked for Investors Diversified Services in Minneapolis. He returned to Birmingham in 1964 and opened his landmark pizza restaurant, using the name of his best friend's brother, famed Giants infielder Jim Davenport. He also scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Hollis died in 2009 and is buried at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham.

References

• "Mr. Rex D. Hollis" obituary (May 26, 2009) The Daily Home