Dell Thomas Holmsley (Tom) was born March 6, 1940, in El Paso, Texas to Burrell Thomas (Tom) and Ozelle Stovall Holmsley, Ysleta farmers. He attended Socorro, Ysleta, and Mesita grade schools were he became an Eagle Scout. Then attended The Principia Upper School in St. Louis where he graduated in 1958 as Senior Class President. Then entered Texas Western College in El Paso and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Government and U.S. Army MP Commission as a 2nd Lt.
After graduation he married Barbara Sue Bishop and had a daughter Cary Frances and two sons Thomas Bishop and Timothy Shepard. After he was honorably discharged from the Army in August 1965, he enrolled in the University of Texas in Austin and earned a Secondary Teachers Certificate and started teaching Secondary World Geography and Civics. After 2 years he was designated one of two Outstanding Young Educators for the City of Austin.
Soon thereafter, he was appointed as a State Farm agent in 1973, then was moved to Hidalgo County as an Agency Manager. Nineteen years later the company moved him to El Paso to be the Agency Field Executive for that area.
Then in July 1996, he and Mary King married which produced the most amazing and fulfilling marriage with adventure and romance. The marriage added Mary’s sons Scott and Troy, and their wives Melissa and Sandra. Soon 14 grandchildren rounded out the family.
Then came retirement in 2004, after which he was elected Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party. After five years, he and Mary were inducted into the Republican Party Hall of Fame. During this time, he was on the Boy Scouts of America, Yucca Council Board of Directors, served on The Council of Government Board of Directors, worked for Francis Properties, and Francis Aviation.
Throughout the years he was able to pursue his beloved hobby of building and flying radio controlled model airplanes, became a private pilot, and was appointed Assistant VP for the Academy of Model Aeronautics for Region 8.
In 2019, Tom and Mary moved to the Houston area where they became involved in the Republican Party once again. It was there that they established America Forever LLC a company devoted to the preservation of this nation by promoting patriotism and the importance of the founding principles of this nation.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Cary Heroy and stepson Scott King. He is survived by his wife Mary; son Thomas B. of St. Louis; son Timothy (Carmen) of Tulsa; step son Troy King (Sandra) of Baytown; 14 grandchildren and one great grandson.
He is also survived by sisters Mary Brown of Raleigh N.C.; Frances Rice of Salt Lake City; Libby Biedermann (Ken) of Bradenton, Florida; sister-in-law Joanna Dill of Houston; along with several dearly loved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The National Eagle Scout Association, Boy Scouts of America, or the charity of your choice.
To all I have known through the years, you are what makes the world go ‘round. Thanks to each of you for all you have contributed to my life. I am eternally grateful. With love, Tom
Written by Dell Thomas Holmsley
On April 9, 2026
