Holman, longtime executive for alcohol distributor, dies

Thursday, April 17, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

Ron Holman amazed his family and friends with his seemingly unending generosity.

Ben Holman recalls that his father once gave a donation to an American Indian school in St. Cloud, S.D., though he could never figure what his father's motivation was other than the school needed help and Ron Holman had a checkbook.

"Dad had a great enthusiasm for life and for helping people," said Ben Holman of Hollywood, Fla. "He was a determined individual in everything he did."

Ronald Glen Holman, who for 28 years was controller for Southern Wine and Spirits, one of the largest alcohol distributors in the Las Vegas region, died April 8 in Alberta. He was 64.

Holman, an avid tennis player who underwent five-way heart bypass surgery in March, was visiting relatives when he collapsed after saying good morning and happy 90th birthday to his father, Glen Holman. The cause of death was a blood clot in a lung, his family said.

A memorial service for the Las Vegas resident of 34 years will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at Palm Mortuary-Eastern.

"He had such a giving nature and was always there to help a fellow employee in need," said Sam Nimah, who worked under Holman for four years and was appointed to replace him as controller.

"A word that best described Ron was 'integrity.' While other people would wrestle over the right decision on an ethical or moral question, Ron did not need to think twice -- he always knew what was the right thing to do."

Born Feb. 21, 1939, in Letheridge, Alberta, Holman was the oldest of three children of Glen Holman and the former Blanche Blackbourne. He was raised in Magrath, Alberta, where he was a standout on the Magrath High School basketball team.

After graduating from high school, Holman became a chartered accountant, Canada's equivalent of a certified public accountant. He later moved to Portland, Ore., and, in the early 1960s, became a U.S. citizen. He also became a CPA and served in the Oregon National Guard.

A onetime heavy cigarette smoker, Holman kicked the habit and became involved in athletics. He won several amateur tennis tournaments, his family said.

He was a member of the Oregon Society of CPAs, the U.S. Tennis Association and the Sierra Club.

In addition to his father and his son, Ben, Holman is survived by three other sons, Tim Holman of Salem, Ore., Randy Holman of Baily, Col., and Theron Holman of Tigard, Ore.; a daughter, Denice Kuball of Bailey; a brother, Grant Holman of LaGrand, Ore.; a sister, Margaret Minion of Magrath; and 10 grandchildren.