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.

Honoring Tom Holman

Albany Democrat Herald,
Monday, Nov. 21, 2016

"WAHS Honors Longtime Educator with  'Tom Holman Court''.

Tom Holman watched a video about his accomplishments while seated next
to his wife Lois Holman during a court dedication ceremony at West
Albany High School on Sunday.  Tom Holman became head basketball coach
at Albany Union High School in 1954, and later became the principal and
mayor of Albany.

Mr. Holman was born in Baker City and played several sports as a youth. 
"It sounded like there wasn't anything Tom wasn't good at," Susie
Orsborn West Albany principal said.  OSC offered him a scholarship to
play either football or basketball, and Holman joined Slats Gill's
basketball squad in Corvallis.  After his first year of college
basketball he served in the U. S. Army and fought in the Battle of the
Bulge during WWII, earning the Silver Star.  Tom then returned to
Oregon, met his wife and got married. Slats Gill wrote him a letter
saying his scholarship was good for four years and he needed to come
back to OSC.  Mr. Holman was part of the first team that played in Gill
Coliseum and the Beavers made it to the Final Four in 1949.  But Tom was
best known in Albany for an accomplished career as an educator and
coach, and for serving as Albany's mayor in the mid-1980's.

On Sunday afternoon, West Albany High School honored the 93-year-old by
renaming its gymnasium floor 'Tom Holman Court'.  "Thank you so much. 
This is amazing," Holman said.  "I've had a great career here in
Albany.  I am very appreciative of this honor.  This day is something
else," he added.  The event started, fittingly enough, with about an
hour of basketball exhibitions by youth and high school players. 
Attendees watched as children and teens dribbled basketballs, sneakers
squeaking as they cut to the hoop.

Several of Holman's family members attended the event, including his
bride of 70 years, Lois.  Attending were former players and students
from all classes, with the Class of 1960 well represented with 11.  All
totaled about 300 people attended the celebration and Mr. Holman
received a standing ovation when his signature, alongside silver stars,
was unveiled on the hardwood.  "He's a wealth of knowledge and a forever
legend of this high school and Albany," said Susie Orsborn.

Ardys Hedy-Bash, part of the AUHS class of 1961, said that her late
husband, Duane Hedy worked with Tom Holman for many years. "I think this
is just wonderful," she said.  "I don't know of anybody who would be
more deserving."  WELL DONE BULLDOGS!!!!

Sharing email from Steve Kenagy

Steve wrote:
"Here is a little news you can share with classmates.  I've been asked to participate in the 2016 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony to be held in Chicago (11/17) and will be delivering the induction speech for Delilah.  In case you don't know about Delilah she has a radio show 6 nights a week on 150 plus U.S. radio stations and is the most listen to lady on radio.  My brother and I put her on the air reporting school news when she was only in the 8th grade.  She worked for us through high school then it was off to bigger markets and is now a major radio personality.  This award for radio personalities, is like an Academy Award is for an actor.  A little side note is that Garth Brooks will be there that evening and giving an induction speech for another one of the other honorees, I just hope I don't have to follow him on stage.  Needless to say it is a little scary thinking about tuxes, formals, limos, red carpets, speeches and Jumbotrons.  Google Delilah and be amazed.  

Go Bulldogs!"

Send your own "Congrats" to Steve at steve@kenagymail.com, 

CANDID SHOTS FROM: 

(maybe not so candid)

2016 All-Class Reunion

Special thanks to: Ellen (Lowe) Lindgren, the photographer (Glenn Lowe's sister)

Bill Gannon

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Nov. 26, 1941 — July 8, 2016

After battling cancer for several years, Gary William (Bill) Gannon, 74, passed away at his home in Albany on July 8, 2016, and went home to be with His Lord.

Bill was born November 26, 1941 in Silverton to William and Arlene Gannon. The family moved to Albany in 1945, where Bill attended Liberty Grade School and graduated from Albany Union High School in 1960 where he played football and made lasting friendships. After attending college for 8 years and finding himself a second term sophomore, he decided college wasn’t the answer, and joined the U.S. Air Force.

Until he began his heavy equipment dealership, Bill spent most of his life in the construction industries. He drove log trucks, dump trucks, and various heavy equipment. In 1980, Bill decided to create G.W. Gannon Equipment in Tangent, a used heavy equipment dealership. He loved the opportunities his company gave him to make many long lasting friendships. Bill was quick with a joke and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cleta Kale (Massie) Gannon; son Troy Tidwell (wife Kelly) and two grandsons, Reagan and Jackson Tidwell of Bellevue, Washington. Also surviving are sisters Judy Edwards of Albany; Roberta (Bobbie) Smith of Portland; and several nieces and nephews that he cared about deeply. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother Jimmy; and daughter Lisa Kaye.

Memorial contributions may be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital or Safe Haven Animal Shelter in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 SW Washington St., Albany, OR 97321.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at the First Assembly of God Church, 2817 Santiam Hwy. S.E., Albany. Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.

David Ernest Strong

·       August 18, 1942 - May 30, 2016

·       Inman, South Carolina

·       David Ernest Strong, 73, passed away Monday, May 30, 2016 at the Regional Hospice Home in Spartanburg, SC. Mr. Strong was born in Albany, Oregon on August 18, 1942, a son of the late ErnestEdward and Lelia Ruth Dally Strong. He was the beloved husband of Joan Ellison Strong. Mr. Strong proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines and held the rank of Captain. He was a combat engineer in the Vietnam War. 
Surviving in addition to his wife Joan are two sons, Steven Daniel Strong and his wife Krystal of San Antonio, TX, Sean David Strong and his wife Tammy also of San Antonio, TX ,two brothers, Ron Strong of Albany, Oregon and Jon Strong and his wife Bonita also of Albany, Oregon. He has a grandson, Jaxon Riley Strong. He was predeceased by a brother, Daniel Strong. 
No local memorial services are planned at this time. 
An online guest register is available at: www.seawright-funeralhome.com.

Carol Primrose Enden

Bottom of Form

        Oct. 22, 1942 — May 26, 2016

Carol Primrose Enden, 73, of Lake Tapps, Washington, formerly of Albany, died May 26 from acute myeloid leukemia.

She was born in Seattle, Washington, to Donald Lloyd and Katherine Primrose. She married Dr. James A. Enden; they were married for 17 years.

A celebration-of-life service will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, Washington.

Carol was very generous in love and spirit. She was a Master Reading and First Grade Teacher for 35 years. Carol was a member and mentor of the Boy Scouts, and loved her Lake Tapps, Washington, waterfront home viewing Mt. Rainier. She traveled while piloting the motor home throughout North America while Dr. Enden navigated. Dr. James Enden passed away Nov. 11, 2010.

She was a member of Rainbow for Girls, Alpha Phi, Seattle Junior League, Retired Teacher’s Association and the Seattle Tennis Club. She was a Seahawks, Huskies and Beavers fan.

She is survived by her companion and dear friend, Frank Priem of Kent, Washington; son Scott Weide (Casey) of Auburn, Washington; daughter Marjorie Weide of Tacoma, Washington; brother David Primrose and family of Irvine, California; sister Ann Primrose Dortch and family of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; granddaughter Zoe; and stepgrandson Andrew.

Memorial contributions may be made to the leukemia foundation.