Tom Florey Holland, Jr. went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 23, 2012, at Victoria Gardens in Allen. He was born on August 10, 1924, in Beaumont, and was the son of Fannie Belle Cain Holland and Tom Florey Holland, Sr.
After graduating from San Jacinto High School in Houston, Tom entered the United States Army in 1943. He served with the 98th Division at Pearl Harbor Oahu, Saipan and Japan as a radio operator and was discharged in 1946. Shortly after returning home from the service, Tom was thrown from his horse, sustaining severe brain damage. After being unconscious for nineteen days and being totally paralyzed on his right side, he was determined to recover. Tom gradually taught himself to walk, talk, and use his left hand instead of his right, and to take care of himself. He enrolled in Stephen F. Austin University and received his bachelor’s degree in three years, and later obtained his master’s degree in 1957. Tom began his teaching career in Vidor in 1952, moved to South Park Schools in 1957, and retired from Beaumont Independent School District in 1982.
He served the Lord faithfully for many years as a Sunday school teacher and Deacon at Calvary Baptist Church, being ordained in 1970. Tom especially loved greeting people at the back door of the gym for each service on Sunday and other occasions.
Tom was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Hazel Baggs Holland; children, Judy Pence and Tom Holland III, both of Humble; Mike Holland and his wife, Melanie, of Nome; and Jan Carpenter and her husband, Jim, of Allen; grandchildren, Eric Kellum and his wife, Barbie; Ashlee Kellum and special friend, Josh Samms; Chad, Ross, and Bret Holland; and Jensen and Jett Carpenter; great-grandchildren, Faith and Kynlee Kellum, and Hope Samms; step- grandchildren, Brodie, Brianna, and Bethany Barnett; step-great-grandchildren, Austin and Riley Soukhakian Kellum; sister, Mary Kay Holland of Houston; brothers, Joe Holland and his wife, Frances, of Buna; and Terrell Holland and his wife, JoAnnette, of Boynton, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews, and was proud to be their uncle.
Tom is preceded in death by his son, Mark Lee; parents; step-mother, Cora Holland; and sister, Sarah Kindla.
A gathering of Mr. Holland’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 27, 2012, at Calvary Baptist Church, 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Tom Holland III, Mike Holland, Ross Holland, Bret Holland, Eric Kellum, and Jim Carpenter will serve as pallbearers. Chad Holland, Roger Sterling III, Josh Samms, and Deacons of Calvary Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Mission Fund, 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
