Jerry Lavon Holland, Sr.

Jerry Lavon Holland, Sr., of Groesbeck, went home to be with the Lord, passing from this life while at his home with his family by his side, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at age 85.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, prior to the funeral.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14^th, with his long-time friend, Pastor Delmar Johnson officiating.   Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jerry L. Holland, Jr., Jerry L. Holland III, Cole Holland, David Gonzalez, Carter McDonald, and Gene Ingram.

Jerry was born January 27, 1938, in Walnut Ridge, AR to Chester Franklin Holland and Nema (McCormic) Holland.   The family moved from Arkansas to Edinburg, TX when he was seven, and he went through school in Edinburg. 

Jerry along with several of his friends, including Delmar Johnson, decided to join the U. S. Army in 1955, being told by the Army they could stay together.  But he became hospitalized with measles and did not get stationed with his buddies.   By the time the Army discovered he was only 17 when he entered the Army, he had already become Sergeant.  Nevertheless, the Army sent him home to get his parents’ signature to allow him to serve.  After Fort Chaffee and Fort Knox, Jerry was stationed in Germany, in the same Division (though not the same Company) with Elvis Presley.   He did buy all of Elvis’ records and remained a life-long fan.

Jerry was a good marksman, having grown up hunting in Arkansas and Edinburg, and became a sniper in the Army, as well as his other jobs running the motor pool and mechanic work on tanks.  He completed his education with a GED while serving.   He was honorably discharged in 1958 after 3 years’ service.

Jerry was united in marriage with Vicki Elizabeth Cattley on July 11, 1960.   He had met her at a dance when she was 16 (and escorted by her parents.)  After two years of courtship in Edinburg, they were married in Pharr, TX.

Jerry and Vicki lived in Edinburg while he worked for Holsom Bread delivering to stores and then for Haliburton.  They moved to San Juan, TX. when he began his life’s career with Farmer Brothers Coffee, as a salesman.  Jerry built up the business in the restaurant clients so much that he was made Branch Manager.  He received Branch Manager of the Year, as well as many accolades through the years.  He retired February 29, 2000, after thirty years with Farmer Brothers Coffee.

Jerry continued to love hunting all his life, and his son, Jerry Jr. was “born with a gun in his hand” also, hunting with Dad since at least age 4.  Jerry and Vicki enjoyed travelling in their RV all over the United States and were a member of “Thousand Trails” RV Club.  When at home, Jerry loved being in his yard, enjoying mowing and the flower gardening his wife directed, and also feeding and watching the birds.

Jerry was a member of Victory Baptist Church of Groesbeck.   He loved reading and studying the Bible, which he spent many hours doing during his retirement.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Bordelon; brothers David Holland and James Holland; and brother-in-law, Johnny Mettlach.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Holland; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry L. Holland Jr. and Tammie Holland of Groesbeck and daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Josh Hodge of Groesbeck.  The grandchildren are Jerry Lavon Holland III and wife Camile of Midlothian, Jeremy “Cole” Holland and wife Courtney of Robinson, David Michael Gonzalez, Jr. and wife Emily of Saginaw, Ronnie Holland and wife Paula of Corpus Christi, Donnie Tollison and wife Madison of Conroe, and Bobby Tollison of Groesbeck.

The great grandchildren: Hazel Claire Holland of Dew, Carter McDonald of Midlothian, Abigail Holland, Emily Holland, Katelyn Holland and April Holland, all of Corpus Christi, and Serenity Tollison of Groesbeck.

He is also survived by siblings: Virginia Mettlach of Pharr, Bobby and wife Gloria Holland of Burleson, and sister-in-law, Sherry Holland of Pharr, and many nieces and nephews.