LTC (Ret) HOLMAN EDMOND, JR.
Holman Edmond, Jr. was born July 30, 1933 in Dudley, Georgia. He went home to be with the Lord on Sunday May 19, 2024. He was the last of 12 children born to Holman Edmond, Sr. and Magnolia Mackey Edmond. He attended public schools in Laurens County, Georgia and graduated from Millville High School in 1950.
At an early age, he accepted Christ and joined Byrd Hill Baptist Church. For many years, he has been a faithful member of Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church.
EDUCATION
Holman enrolled in Tuskegee Institute in 1954 and received a B.S. Degree in Applied Science (Electronics) in 1958. His leadership roles included the following:
President, United Men’s Congress (Men Students)
Member, Tuskegee Institute Choir, under the direction of William L. Dawson
Performed at New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955
Photo on cover of Tuskegee Institute Choir album
Battalion Commander, Army ROTC – 1957-58
Received Regular Army Commission upon graduation as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
Received a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Utah
MILITARY SERVICE
- Enlisted in the segregated US Army in 1950
- 1952-54 Integrated into an all-white unit while serving in Germany with
the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment
1958 Completed Signal Corps Officer Orientation
1959 Completed Fixed Wing Aviation Course
1961 Completed Helicopter Qualification Course 1965-66- flew hundreds of combat missions in Vietnam as a Helicopter Section Commander with the 1st Calvary Division U.S. Army 1968-69- flew hundreds of helicopters and fixed wing combat missions as an Aviation Officer in the 54th Signal Battalion in Vietnam
1973 Graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College
Throughout Holman’s army career, he served in various Aviation and Communications leadership assignments Received numerous service medals and awards, including the Silver Star, the 3rd highest military decoration for valor in combat and also the Bronze Star, awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Staff Manager, Southern Bell Telephone Company
Assistant to Fulton County Commissioner, Lee Roach
Sgt-at-Arms, Georgia State Senate
Certified Mediator, State of Georgia, Georgia Justice Center
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Member, South Fulton Democratic Committee
Alternate Delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1980
Member, Governor’s Arts Council (Appointed by Gov. Joe Frank Harris)
Local School Liaison to Fulton County Board of Education
President, Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club (three terms)
May 1983, established First Alumni Endowment Fund at Tuskegee Institute. Thanks to the hard work, tenacity, and consistent donations of subsequent club presidents and alumni, the endowment is thriving. What began with a $2,000 initial donation has grown to almost one million dollars. Interest alone allows the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club to award annual scholarships to local students attending Tuskegee University.
Chairman, Committee on Nominations, Southeastern Region, National Tuskegee Alumni
National First Vice President (Four years) Tuskegee Alumni
At Large Representative to Tuskegee National Alumni Board
Life Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Polemarch, Asbury Park-Neptune, New Jersey Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. – 1970–72
Member, Wendell Whalum Community Chorus
Recipient, Pioneer Award, Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club
CHURCH
Served in numerous local church positions, including: Chair, Administrative Council; Stewardship Committee, Member, Finance Committee; and Member, Nominations Committee
Sang in the church choirs all of his life until his health failed
District Coordinator, North Georgia Conference United Methodist Men
Delegate to Southeastern Jurisdiction Conference, United Methodist Church
Delegate to World Methodist Conferences in Singapore and Brazil
Member, General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, United Methodist Church
Holman was an “overcomer” in every sense of the word. His mother died when he was 13 years old. His teacher, Mrs. Raiford Baker, became his surrogate mother. She coached, loved and encouraged him to remain in school. At the time, there was no bus service to school for black students, so Holman rode his bike 12 miles (round trip) each day from eighth grade through graduation.
After serving four years in the Army, Holman entered college and graduated with a Regular Army Commission as an officer.
He applied for flight training and successfully completed it. Holman served two tours of duty in Vietnam, flying combat missions during the war. To go from a bicycle to flying a plane was phenomenal. Holman lived with two auto-immune diseases, multiple sclerosis (diagnosed in 1999) and multiple myeloma (diagnosed in 2018). He never complained but made the most of each day. His expression, “Life is good to me”, was most appropriate. He trusted in God with every facet of his life. He believed that God placed each person in this world for a purpose. His family can look to him as a shining example of what is possible in life – with God leading the way. Holman was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (Pop Pop) and “Uncle Junior”.
“He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. He will receive the crown of righteousness which the Lord will award him”. (Paraphrased 2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Holman is survived by Lee Dorothy Edmond, his loving wife of 65 years, and four devoted children: Cassandra “Sandi” Edmond; Roderick E. Edmond, M.D., J.D. (Brooke); Byron K. Edmond, MD (Regenia); and Lori Edmond Paschal, D.D.S. (Stanley). He was the proud grandfather of eight: Holman Edmond, III; Clark Lorraine Edmond, J.D.; Grant Paschal; Drew Paschal; Hayes Edmond; Jordan Edmond; Brooke “Brookie” Edmond; and Cassandra “Cassie” Edmond. Holman is also survived by four sisters-in-law: Augusta Lauderdale; Rebecca Leonard; Lillian Leonard; Loretta Marbury (Jack) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The donation link for Holman Edmond In lieu of flowers https://atlantatuskegeealumni.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/atac-endowed-scholarship-donation-in-honor-of-mr-holman-edmond
In Service to ATAC and Tuskegee UniversityThe Mailing address for Checks for the Atlanta Tuskegee Scholarship fund in lieu of flowers is
Make Checks Payable to "The Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club "
In Memo: Mail to L. Dorothy Edmond
