Celebrating the life of
Col. Thomas Holland
December 13, 1932 - April 06, 2011
COL THOMAS TOM J. HOLLAND
Colonel Thomas J. Holland, 78, passed away on April 6, 2011.
He was born in Douglas, GA on December 13, 1932. Tom was preceded in his death by his father, T. J. Holland and mother, Jennie Camp Holland, brother, Wilbur S. Holland, and wife, Catherine Kitty Holland. Kitty was the love of his life.
Survivors include his daughters, Jeannie Kay Williamson David of Snellville, GA and Toni H. Godfrey of Cary, NC; son, Thomas J. Holland, III, Savannah, GA; grandsons, David Christopher and Glen Allen Williamson, and step-daughter, Julie C. Foster of Savannah.
He graduated from Douglas High School, Douglas, GA in 1949. He attended South Georgia College, Georgia Tech, Florida State University, and graduated from Armstrong College.
Col Holland entered the United States Air Force in February 1951 and retired in June 1992 after serving 41 years. His first duty assignment was with the 6541st Missile Test SQ at Cape Canaveral, FL while stationed at Patrick AFB, FL. His next duty assignment was with the 67th Tactical Recon Wing at Kimpo Air Base, Korea from 1952-3 during the Korean War. His next assignment was with the 2nd Armament & Electronics SQ of the 2nd Bomb Wine at Savannah, GA from 1953-5. He served with the 158th Fighter Interceptor SQ and the 165th Tactical Airlift GP from 1955-1992 both militarily and as an Air Technician civil service. Two of the positions that he was assigned during this period of time were Chief of Supply & Services and Deputy Commander for Resources.
In addition, Col Holland served on many Air National Guard committees for the National Guard Bureau both at the Pentagon and the ANG Support Center at Andrews AFB, MD. His medals and decorations included the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices, Air Force Commendation medal, Korean Service Medal with 3 devices, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 5 devices, United Nations Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
He was a lifetime member of the military Order of World Ward MOWW, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the National Guard Association of Georgia. He helped form the Savannah Association of Flying Air National Guardsmen SAFANG and was a former president. He was also a member of the Grey Eagle Society, the Cobra Club, the Birthplace Chapter of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the 8th Air Force Historical Society and the Thunderbolt Lodge No. 693, F&AM.
Tom was a member of the Ralph Thomas Men's Sunday School Class of Bull Street Baptist Church.
"Colonel" or "Colonel Tom" was known throughout the Southbridge community where he and Kitty resided for many years. Both many old and young alike referred to him by these names. He served on the Southbridge Homeowner's Board early on. He also helped form the Southbridge Men's Golf Association and was their initial vice president. His hobbies included golf, walking, and computers. He was self taught with computers and gladly repaired computers for many of his friends and neighbors without any compensation. He mainly liked the challenges of repairing computers.
Tom loved all people regardless of who they were or background. He especially had a kind heart for the poor and needy. The one thing that he missed most upon his military retirement was the troops. He also loved all animals and especially the three cats that Kitty left him with: Lucy, Lucky, and Tarzanne.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Church at Godley Station in Pooler on Saturday, April 9, at 3:00 p.m. with graveside services at the Holland family cemetery in Ambrose, GA on Sunday, April 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Remembrances may be sent to Bull Street Baptist Church, 17 East Anderson Street, Savannah, GA 31401 or The Church at Godley Station, 1601 Benton Blvd., Pooler, GA 31322.
Sorry about your loss. He was a great person as well as Airman. He will be missed.
- James Salmen, , GA
Dear Family, I just learned of Tom's passing. I have been out of town for 15 days from 2 Apr to 16 Apr visiting relatives. I have known Tom since 1969 when I returned to the 158th from Pilot Training. From 1973-1991 I was with the 116th but stayed in touch with Tom. I came back as the Commander of the 165th from 1991-1993. During that time I counted Tom as one of my closest advisors and personal friends. Tom was a great person and always had the unit's and my best interests at hand when he gave me advice. I relied upon him and sought his counsel frequently during many issues that came up while I was the commander. Since I retired from United Airlines 6 years ago, I have been pretty busy working for a construction company here in the Atlanta area and have not been back to Savannah as much as I would have liked. I knew Tom was having back problems but I did not know that he had other life threatening issues. His death saddens me greatly!
- Scott Mikkelsen, Woodstock, GA. 30188, GA
Uncle Tom was a good man. He and Aunt Kitty made a wonderful couple.
- Mary Clyde, Ocilla, GA
Wow Kay, what a wonderful man your Father was! I wish I could have met him to say thank you for all he did for our country. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother and sisters.
- Cheryl Corley, Lilburn, GA
Shirley and I were greatly saddened upon hearing of Col Tom's passing. Our hearts go out to the family in their great time of need. Col Tom will always be in our memories of him and the 165th. He was always a great officer, fellow guardsman and above all a great friend.He will be dearly missed. James B Jarrell, CMSgt/GaANG Ret
- James Jarrell JimBob, Ellabell, GA
To Col Holland's family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be greatly missed. Susan Elkins
- Susan Elkins, Savannah, GA
Mourning the loss of a friend and comrade. Prayers are with the family.
- Ben E. Cole, Savannah, GA
MAY GOD CONFORT YOU IN YOUR LOST. KEEP LOOKING UP AS HE WOULD WANT YOU TO. GOD BLESS.
- LEROY BENTLEY, HARDEEVILLE, SC
My thoughts and prayers go out to Colonel Holland and his family. It was such a pleasure to serve our country with such an outstanding leader and a fine gentleman. I'm a better person for serving with you and knowing you.
- Jon Rawlinson, Savannah, GA
I grew up in Middlesboro, Ky. and knew Kitty when she rebuilt and decorated a beautiful little craftsman style bungalow in Cumberland Gap, TN. just across Cumberland Gap Mountain from Middlesboro. She and Julie were a wonderful pair than found love, joy and peace with Tom Holland. I wish I could have met him. He was kind to email me after Kittyi's death. Love to his wonderful cadre of family and friends from an admirer. Bert
- Bert Wirth, Rockville,, MD
As young boys, Tommy and I played together most every day until I moved from Douglas at age 15. We shared a life in the Air Force though never stationed together. We renewed our friendship after I retired to Dublin and Tommy dropped by to visit. He would visit often and we enjoyed reliving our youth.
- Ray and Sally Battle, Dublin, GA
Col Tom was a great American, Officer and friend. I will never forget his zest for life nor his infectious smile. I was blessed to have served with him in the 165th Airlift Wing. Please accept my sincere condolences. We will all miss him. David Smith, Command Chief Master Sergeant Retired
- David Smith, Pooler, GA
Sorry about your loss. He was a great person as well as Airman. He will be missed.
- James Salmen, , GA
Dear Family, I just learned of Tom's passing. I have been out of town for 15 days from 2 Apr to 16 Apr visiting relatives. I have known Tom since 1969 when I returned to the 158th from Pilot Training. From 1973-1991 I was with the 116th but stayed in touch with Tom. I came back as the Commander of the 165th from 1991-1993. During that time I counted Tom as one of my closest advisors and personal friends. Tom was a great person and always had the unit's and my best interests at hand when he gave me advice. I relied upon him and sought his counsel frequently during many issues that came up while I was the commander. Since I retired from United Airlines 6 years ago, I have been pretty busy working for a construction company here in the Atlanta area and have not been back to Savannah as much as I would have liked. I knew Tom was having back problems but I did not know that he had other life threatening issues. His death saddens me greatly!
- Scott Mikkelsen, Woodstock, GA. 30188, GA
Uncle Tom was a good man. He and Aunt Kitty made a wonderful couple.
- Mary Clyde, Ocilla, GA
Wow Kay, what a wonderful man your Father was! I wish I could have met him to say thank you for all he did for our country. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your brother and sisters.
- Cheryl Corley, Lilburn, GA
Shirley and I were greatly saddened upon hearing of Col Tom's passing. Our hearts go out to the family in their great time of need. Col Tom will always be in our memories of him and the 165th. He was always a great officer, fellow guardsman and above all a great friend.He will be dearly missed. James B Jarrell, CMSgt/GaANG Ret
- James Jarrell JimBob, Ellabell, GA
To Col Holland's family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be greatly missed. Susan Elkins
- Susan Elkins, Savannah, GA
Mourning the loss of a friend and comrade. Prayers are with the family.
- Ben E. Cole, Savannah, GA
MAY GOD CONFORT YOU IN YOUR LOST. KEEP LOOKING UP AS HE WOULD WANT YOU TO. GOD BLESS.
- LEROY BENTLEY, HARDEEVILLE, SC
My thoughts and prayers go out to Colonel Holland and his family. It was such a pleasure to serve our country with such an outstanding leader and a fine gentleman. I'm a better person for serving with you and knowing you.
- Jon Rawlinson, Savannah, GA
I grew up in Middlesboro, Ky. and knew Kitty when she rebuilt and decorated a beautiful little craftsman style bungalow in Cumberland Gap, TN. just across Cumberland Gap Mountain from Middlesboro. She and Julie were a wonderful pair than found love, joy and peace with Tom Holland. I wish I could have met him. He was kind to email me after Kittyi's death. Love to his wonderful cadre of family and friends from an admirer. Bert
- Bert Wirth, Rockville,, MD
As young boys, Tommy and I played together most every day until I moved from Douglas at age 15. We shared a life in the Air Force though never stationed together. We renewed our friendship after I retired to Dublin and Tommy dropped by to visit. He would visit often and we enjoyed reliving our youth.
- Ray and Sally Battle, Dublin, GA
Col Tom was a great American, Officer and friend. I will never forget his zest for life nor his infectious smile. I was blessed to have served with him in the 165th Airlift Wing. Please accept my sincere condolences. We will all miss him. David Smith, Command Chief Master Sergeant Retired
- David Smith, Pooler, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
