Lonnie Ray Holland left this world to go home to our Lord on October 12, 2020 at the age of 84. He was born on September 22, 1936 in Plainview, Texas to Lela Pearl Skipworth and John Belton Holland. He went to school with his future wife, Barbara Gray Holland, who was his high school sweetheart and number one fan.
His high school senior year was a notable one. Lonnie was selected to play on the NHS All American Football Team and played the game in Nashville in 1954. His talent came to the attention of the University of Oklahoma which recruited him and where he played his collegiate freshman year before transferring to the University of Houston.
He was always grateful for the opportunity to play football at the University of Houston. Those days held great memories for him and he remained a passionate and loyal Cougar fan all his life. He proudly showed his support of the UofH with his closet of mostly red Cougar shirts and his home office decorated with pictures of his Cougar friends and his golfing buddies. He was honored to serve as the president of the University of Houston “H” Association in 1977.
Their first daughter, Vivi, was born while he was completing his degree at UofH. During that time, he also became a member of the ROTC, receiving the outstanding ROTC student award. He went on to serve 6 months in the army, training at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia where he quarterbacked for the base’s football team and was recognized as a member of the All Army Team.
Houston drew the Holland family back. His second daughter, Valri, was born shortly after their return to give him a family of four. Upon his return, he embarked on his lifelong career in the insurance business.
Eventually he joined some partners to start a new insurance agency, Brady Chapman Holland in Houston, that still exists today. It was a wonderful professional and personal experience, allowing him to eventually retire from the firm.
There were four constants in Lonnie’s life: family, football, golf, and insurance. For several years, he started coaching “Fun” little league football in Houston. He also discovered golf – a new love in his life. He played golf until he was no longer able to. Golf introduced him to many of his lifelong and wonderful friends.
Eventually, he moved his family to The Woodlands and made the work commute to Houston until he retired. Golf once again gave him the opportunity to meet new people in his new hometown.
When Vivi and Valri married, he found the sons he never had in his sons-in-law and the grandsons. His life became even richer when his grandchildren were born.
Lonnie and Barbara were avid supporters of their grandchildren. He began coaching his first grandson, Wesley, in the South County Football League. He went on to coach grandson Brayden in flag football and the two also enjoyed playing golf together. He went to all the games and activities the grandkids were in. That included Whitney’s and Ainsley’s dance competitions, ballets, and volleyball, and Morgan’s cheerleading. That was commitment!
After retirement, his time was filled with his family, golf and a new passion: taking his even-tempered dog, Luke and subsequent dogs to visit people living in local nursing homes. His motivation was simple: he had a great love of dogs and wanted to share his loving dogs with others. He and Luke and eventually Maggie, became certified by Therapy Pet Pals of Texas and were honored with a 10 year volunteer
award for outstanding commitment as a volunteer visiting residents of nursing homes.
He was a godly man who attended to a weekly men’s prayer group who met for breakfast. This group deepened his faith in God.
He bravely fought Parkinson’s for five years, trying everything to combat the disease. As his condition deteriorated, he was well cared for by his family and Seasons Hospice. Barbara, Vivi, and Valri were with him as he gently passed onto the big golf game in the next life.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Billie Jack Holland and sister Nelda Jean Armes . He will be deeply missed the love of his life and wife of 64 years, Barbara Gray Holland, his daughter Vivi Ann Cole (Greg) and daughter Valri Lea Ingebrigtsen (Mark). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Wesley Cole, Whitney Cole, Morgan Ingebrigtsen, Brayden Ingebrigtsen, and Ainsley Ingebrigtsen. He is also survived by nephews Dannie Holland and Steve Crable. Lonnie was blessed with many friends, teammates, golfing buddies, and business associates at Brady, Chapman, Holland and special long time friend Everett Hruska.
In lieu of flowers, please send send a donation in Lonnie’s memory to the University of Houston “H” Association, P.O. Box 131886, Houston, TX 77219.
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