Samuel Ferris Holmes Jr.

Sam F. Holmes, Jr., a well-known retired banker, former business editor of The Dallas Morning News, churchman, and active civic worker, died January 16, 2012, in Dallas, Texas. He was 91 years old. Services will be held at East Dallas Christian Church at Peak and Junius on Thursday, January 19th at 2:00 p.m. with the Reverend Deborah Morgan-Stokes officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday January 18th at Sparkman/Hillcrest on Northwest Hwy from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Sam was born November 17, 1920, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Samuel Ferris Holmes and Mercedes Grace Perry Holmes. Following his mother’s early death, he went to Troup, Texas, where he was raised by a wonderful couple, Essie and Charles Pace, his aunt and uncle. Sam enjoyed many summers in El Dorado, Kansas, with his aunt and uncle, Susanne and Matt Long, and his cousins Susanne and Mercedes. In 1938 Sam graduated from Troup High School where he had been an outstanding student and a letterman in four major sports. He captained the 1937-38 basketball team and also served as president of the student body and of his class. Sam attended Southwestern University at Georgetown for two years. He played first trombone and was a featured vocalist each week with the band on the radio and in concert in Georgetown and across the state in the Pigskin Revue performances. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Journalism Degree in June of 1942. He was night editor of the award-winning Daily Texan and also wrote a column for the paper. He earned a reserve letter on the varsity track team and was named a Good Fellow in the Cactus, the University’s yearbook. Sam later earned a Master of Government degree from SMU. A month after Pearl Harbor, Sam enlisted in the Navy. He worked the summer of 1942 as sports editor of the Austin-American newspaper until the Navy called him in September. He was commissioned as an ensign in January, 1943, and was immediately assigned to sea duty. He spent the next forty months on the USS Thomas Jefferson where he earned four battle stars. His ship landed the first assault troops in Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Omaha Beach, and Southern France. He was Officer of the Deck for the first twelve hours of the Omaha Beach landing. He then served for eighteen months in the Pacific as navigator of the USS Mayfield Victory, an ammunition ship which supplied bombs and munitions to aircraft carriers. Sam retired from the Navy Reserves with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After the war Sam returned to Austin where he met Doris Charlotte Kolb, a music teacher from Lubbock who was working on her master’s degree. They were married on June 8, 1947. The couple resided in Dallas where Sam had joined the Dallas Morning News earlier that year as courthouse reporter. Later he became the Business Editor of the News. In 1955 Sam joined the First National Bank in the Public Relations Department. He was personnel director for many years and retired in 1986 as Vice President of Economic Development. Sam and Doris have been members of the East Dallas Christian Church for over sixty years. Sam served on the board for many years and twice as chairman. He was a member of and one of the teachers for the Sanders Class where Doris continues to play the piano. Sam was active in the Dallas civic community, serving as President of the Visiting Nurses Association, Cubmaster of Pack 585 at University Park Elementary School, President of the Dallas Personnel Association, Director of the Dallas American Institute of Banking, Troop Committee Chairman for Troop 70, Boardman of Day Care Association of Metropolitan Dallas, President of the Neighborhood Housing Services of Dallas, Treasurer of the Texas Bureau for Economic Understanding, Director – Goals for Dallas, Chairman Goals for Dallas Social Services Task Force, and Director & Treasurer of Junior Achievement and supporter of the United Way. He helped in the establishment of the Greater Dallas Council of Churches and was a Golden Member of the Park Cities North Dallas Kiwanis Club, a member of Sigma Delta Chi, a professional journalism fraternity, and the Press Club. Sam and Doris enjoyed singing and playing for many groups in the area. He was an avid tennis player, a participant in tournaments throughout the state, and was a long-time member of Brookhaven Country Club. He had a deep love for the great State of Texas and was devoted to the Texas Longhorns and sports. He was a master joke-teller, and his sense of humor was legendary. He so loved his grandchildren and making Saturday morning pancakes. He is survived by his loving wife Doris, daughter Charlotte Davis, son Charles and wife Deborah, grandchildren Jonathan Davis and wife Diane, Susanne Garza and husband Mike, Grant Holmes and wife Kari, and Carson Holmes. He also leaves three great-grandchildren, Ian and Isaac Davis and Carter Grant Holmes. In lieu of flowers, honorariums may be made to the East Dallas Christian Church, Circle Ten Council BSA, Seventy, Inc. (Troop 70), or your favorite charity.