Col. (Ret.) Jim D. Holmans

Retired Colonel Jimmie Darrell “Jim” Holmans, husband, father, Grampy and former executive assistant to the president of Abilene Christian University, died Nov. 8, 2026, at his home in Abilene. Ever an officer and a gentleman, he was 83.

A military observance is planned at Texas State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 13, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 12, 5-7 p.m., and a funeral conducted Friday, Nov. 13, at 1:30 p.m., both at Piersall Funeral Directors chapel, 733 Butternut St. in Abilene.

Born Sept. 1, 1943, in Coleman, Texas, Holmans was the oldest child and only son of Charles William and Bernice Evelyn Hill Holmans. He grew up in Coleman and graduated from Coleman High School in 1961. There he met Myra Lillian Siburt. After high school, they both attended Lubbock Christian College. He enrolled at Texas Tech University before being drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1967.

Myra and Jim married Aug. 31, 1968, in Monahans, beginning a 58-year marriage and international sojourn. His 30-year career in the Air Force included 15 assignments across the U.S., Thailand, Belgium and Germany. The arrival of Melissa Lyn Holmans in July 1972 completed their family, or so they thought. The births of Nevada Danielle and Lex’n Noelle Holmans would become his favorite assignment, Grampy.

While in the Air Force, Holmans completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in business administration and management from Boston University. He also graduated from every level of resident professional military education in the Air Force.

He served as an executive officer to the commanders at Hanscom Air Force Base near Boston, Massachusetts; and Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene from 1983-86 as it became the home of the first B-1B Lancer bomber wing. In Belgium he commanded the Air Force contingent of personnel at NATO headquarters in Brussels and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons.

He also held numerous personnel assignments including preparation of Congressional and presidential responses to citizen inquiries, the assignment of more than 5,000 mid-level officers to professional military education, and the assignment of more than 16,000 Air Force intelligence personnel around the globe. Before retirement in 1997, he worked at the Pentagon while directing the worldwide assignments of all Air Force colonels.

Holmans earned the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He was named the Air Force Systems Command’s Personnel Officer of the Year in 1976 and Europe Senior Personnel Manager of the Year in 1991.

After retiring from the Air Force in 2019 he began a second career as executive assistant to Abilene Christian University President Royce Money. After 12 years in that role, he moved with Money to the chancellor’s office and spent eight years as assistant to the chancellor. His inherent dignity and integrity served him well in the transition from the military to higher education, quickly earning the respect and friendship of administrators, faculty and staff, all of whom he treated with kindness.

In the many cities and bases where they made their home, the Holmans were active members of Churches of Christ, including University Church of Christ in Abilene where he led the Security Committee.

He continued his life-long service to the Air Force as a member of Abilene’s Military Affairs Committee. He was also a member of the Air Force Association and Retired Officers Association.

Holmans was preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Kay. He is survived by his wife, Myra, daughter Melissa, granddaughters Nevada and Lex’n, and a great-granddaughter, Namari, all of Abilene; sister-in-laws Judy Siburt and Elva Siburt Devers; and several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins and their families.

Those wishing to honor Jim's memory and life of quiet service may consider memorial gifts to The Siburt Institute at Abilene Christian University, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699-9132 or http://bit.ly/JimHolmans.