Thomas Holman

July 6, 1923 — April 22, 2017

Thomas Carter Holman, or Tommy as he was known to many, was born in Baker to Frederic and Harriett Holman. He had seven siblings, five brothers and two sisters, all of whom have passed away before him.

Tommy attended school in Baker and became an outstanding athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He was mentored by a man named Claude Hines, both of whom now are members of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

The Baker YMCA was the place Claude hung out after his professional baseball days, and, along with Tommy’s brother Dave, they took advantage of Claude’s expertise. Tommy played and went to the State Basketball Tournament for four years. As a junior and senior, he made the FirstTeam All-State Tournament Team. He also excelled at football and was offered full-ride scholarships to Oregon State in both sports. He accepted the basketball scholarship to play for Oregon State and the late Slats Gill.

World War II called upon Tom, taking him out of college. Tom arrived in Glasgow, Scotland aboard the Queen Mary that was used as a troop transport ship. He worked his way to the rank of staff sergeant and squad leader. Tom was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action.

Coming home from the war and coming back to live with his sister Dorothea Lewis in Nyssa, proved to be the right move. One day she told him about this cute girl that would be at a mid-week church function. Lois Elaine Anderson worked with Dorothea at the offices of the Amalgamated Sugar Company in Nyssa, and was told about Tommy Holman from Baker City and a war hero!

A match was made and they were married at the Lewis home in Nyssa on May 19, 1946.

Shortly thereafter, Tommy played in an AAU basketball tournament in Nampa, Idaho. OSU’s Slats Gill had received word about an “all-tournament team” guy named Tommy Holman and true to Coach Gill’s loyalty to his players, he called Tommy up and told him, “your scholarship is still good with us, we want you back!” A stellar career playing for the Beavers had begun with wife Lois in support all the way!

His famous “five points in seven seconds” story is still talked about. It was the one where he single-handedly tied the game against the Oregon Ducks in MacArthur Court. Dad has told this to many, but he never failed to mention that Cliff Crandall, the OSU All-American that year scored 20 points in that game.

Tom graduated from OSU in 1951, was immediately hired by Corvallis High School and became their varsity basketball coach. He coached Dave Gambee there, who went on to play at OSU and the Philadelphia 76ers.

After three years at Corvallis, a new Albany Union High School was built, and in 1954 he accepted the teaching and coaching job there, where he remained until 1962. Tom loved the kids and got his administrative credentials before being offered the vice principal job at Memorial Junior High.

After one year as vice principal, he became the principal after Ty Brown resigned. He remained in that position until 1975.

To top off his career, Tom Holman was offered the principal job at West Albany High School, where he worked until his retirement in 1983.

He left a legacy at West Albany; teacher, coach, principal, and many who would say he was a “cheer leader” as well.

All this earned him the honor from West Albany High School just this year with the dedication and naming of the West Albany basketball court as “Tom Holman Court”.

Retirement from the school system didn’t stop his involvement in community and civic organizations. Recommended by good friends and local leaders, he ran for mayor of Albany and won the election twice.

He is survived by his wife Lois Anderson Holman; four children Brian (Placer) Holman, Gregg (Sue) Holman, Jim (Lori) Holman, and John (Tracy) Holman. They have seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents Harriet Carter Holman and Frederic James Holman; daughter Tamara Lee; brothers Carl, Louis, Sonny, Robert, and David Holman; sisters Dorothea Holman Lewis Mitchell and Marie Holman Wilson.

A memorial service will be at 11:00am on Saturday, April 29, at the Albany First United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions to the West Albany Sports Foundation may be sent in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. SW, Albany, OR 97321.