Obituary of Lt.Col.Jerry P. Holman

Lt. Col. Jerry Pinkston Holman, age 76, passed away at his residence south of Hartford on March 14, 2006 due to complications from kidney failure. He was a devoted husband, father, brother and son. A memorial funeral service will be held at 11:30 A. M. Thursday, March 16, 2006, at Hartford United Methodist Church with Reverend Jack Kale and Reverend John Wesley Spivey officiating. Full Military Honors will follow the service at the Church, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends at the Church from 10:00 A. M. Thursday until service time. Col. Holman's wife, the former Mary Louise Rivers, was devotedly at her husband's side throughout his illness. They were married 47 years ago on February 14, 1959 in Homestead, Florida. They are the parents of two children, Julia Bell Holman Juszkiewicz of Alaska and Timothy Emile Holman of Hartford. A daughter-in-law, Sharon (Mrs. Tim) Holman, a son-in-law, Joe Juszkiewicz of California and two grandsons, Joseph Holman Juszkiewicz and Brandon Tyler Holman also survive. Col. Holman leaves two brothers, Gene Pinkston Holman of Hartford, and Thomas Wells Holman of Vernon, Florida. Col. Holman was the son of the late John Tom (Jake) and Mattibel Pinkston Holman. Their second son, he was born on January 28, 1930. His late grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Holman of Hartford and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Pinkston of Parrott, Georgia. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by two aunts, Sue Holman (Mrs. M.L.) Weeks and Mrs. Roland Pinkston of Hartford, 12 nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins and cherished friends. Col. Holman was a patriot, loyal church member and tireless community advocate. After graduating from Geneva County High School in 1948, he attended Auburn University School of Architecture until he received an appointment to The United States Naval Academy in 1950. Following in the footsteps of his uncle Roland Pinkston, also a Naval Academy graduate, Mr. Holman received his degree from Annapolis in 1954. He optioned for an Air Force Commission and received his Second Lieutenant's bars in the company of his parents in June of 1950. He served 20 year on active duty that included two tours of duty in Viet Nam. A highly decorated pilot, Col. Holman flew both fixed and rotary wing aircraft and after retirement enjoyed many year in the air in his private planes. Col. Holman was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Hartford and served in many capacities as a tireless worker until his death. After his retirement from the military in 1974, he was associated with his father and uncle, H.M. (Crook) Holman at Holman Grain Elevator until his father's retirement at which time Col. Holman became the Director of the Hartford Housing Authority. Col. Holman was actively involved with other prominent Hartford citizens in the concept and realization of the Hartford Retirement Village in which there is a lounge dedicated to his efforts and honor. Jerry Holman, affectionately known as "Sarge" to his family and many friends, was well recognized to be a generous, gracious and congenial person who lived his life in a selfless and unassuming manner. He was a person of wit and humor who possessed a winning smile and he will be loved, missed and remembered for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Hartford First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 56, Hartford, Alabama 36344, or to Hartford Retirement Village, 12196 East State Hwy 52, Hartford, Alabama 36344. Service Information