Obituary of Alvin J. Hollas
Alvin J. Hollas, age 94, of Houston, peacefully passed away Friday, May 19, 2023. Alvin was born October 13, 1928 at home in the High Hill community north of Schulenburg, Texas to Hugo and Pauline (Schmidt) Hollas. Alvin grew up the oldest of 7 boys.
In his younger years he attended the High Hill School and helped on the family farm, milked cows, worked in the fields and picked cotton. At age 18 he was employed as a carpenter. Two years later, November, 1950, Alvin was drafted into the service when the Korean War began. He served in the 40th Infantry Division. After a short basic training at Camp Cook, California, the Division was shipped to Japan for 9 months of advanced training and then dispatched to the front lines in Korea for another 9 months, where he received several Infantry Combat Awards.
After his honorable discharge In October 1952, he moved to Houston and was employed by the Ford Motor Co. Parts Depot, and Phoenix Dairy where he had a retail milk delivery route in the River Oaks area. On October 19, 1953, he married the love of his life, Bernice Richter of St. John, Texas and they enjoyed 67 years together until her death in 2020. The following year he enrolled in the University of Houston and was employed by the Harris County Auditor’s Office. He graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and obtained his CPA Certificate. He continued his employment with Harris County for 38 years, including one year as Director of Internal Audit for the Harris County Hospital District, and then 23 years as the First Assistant County Auditor.
Alvin retired in 1993 but he continued to want to work and to serve in the community. After retirement he was appointed to the Harris County Hospital Board of Managers where he served one term. He was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Houston Downtown Kiwanis Club, The Knights of Columbus, and served as Treasurer for the Texas Lone Star Chapter of the Korean War Veterans. He was an active member of St. Jerome Catholic Church where he served on the Finance Committee for several years. He was a Catholic Life Insurance Representative and was currently serving as the President of Northwest Houston Branch 58.
Alvin enjoyed travel. There were many family vacation driving trips and several overseas vacation trips with Bernice. He was a handyman and a gardener. He loved to socialize with family and friends.
Alvin was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice (Richter) Hollas, his parents, Hugo, Sr. and Pauline (Schmidt) Hollas; his brothers Armand Hollas, Leo Hollas and Hugo Hollas, Jr.; and his great-grandson, Callan Symmank.
Alvin is survived by his four children and their spouses, Ronald (Esther) Hollas, Carol (Gregory) Batt, Deborah (Kevin) Hunter, and Rebecca (Robert) Symmank; six grandchildren and their spouses, Jessica (Chip) Belcher, Travis (Louella) Batt, Dana (Justin) Neuneker, Michelle (Stephen) Groppell, Matthew (Genesis) Symmank, and Eric (Meredith) Symmank; nine great-grandchildren, Blake and Elizabeth Belcher, Taylor and Ryan Neuneker, Olivia and William Groppell, Benjamin and Tatum Symmank, and Martin Symmank. He is also survived by his brothers and sister-in-laws, Robert (Alice) Hollas, Winfred (Carol Ann) Hollas, and Richard (Barbara) Hollas; sister-in-laws, Mildred Hollas, Rose Hollas, and Paula Hollas, and many extended family members.
The Funeral services will be held at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood Dr., Houston, TX 77080 on Monday, May 29, 2023. The visitation will begin in the church at 9:30 a.m., with a recitation of the Holy Rosary, led by the Knights of Columbus Council 4550, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the Mass in the Activity Center at St. Jerome. Alvin will be laid to rest in Houston National Cemetery on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Alvin’s memory to St. Jerome Catholic Church Building Fund, or to a charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Joseph Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street in Houston.
Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.josephjearthman.com