Odis Marion Holiman

Odis Marion Holiman, 97, of Midkiff passed away on April 4, 2014 in Big Spring, Texas. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 10:00am at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at 3:00pm at Arden Cemetery in Mertzon, Texas.Odis was born on October 31, 1916 in Arden, Texas to Joe and Emma Venable Holiman. His love of reminiscing and story-telling always attracted audiences and laughter. He would tell of being bucked off a horse at the age of 5 and his dad asking if he was okay. He responded with “yes” and then his dad sarcastically asked why he “was still lying there on the ground”. Odis would laugh as he told the story of his first time driving a Model T at the age of 7 following his dad herding their livestock. He later served in the US Army during World War II as a young adult and quickly became an even more honorable man. He met and married his first wife, Viola Tkac, that he shared many years and fond memories until her passing on March 17, 2002. He proudly told the story of taking out a $30 loan, giving Viola $25 of it for a wedding dress and shoes, and giving the other $5 to the minister. Another of his memories with her involved their miniature puppy lying between them on long trips, but somehow sensing the pending arrival of their destination, would end up behind Odis’ legs in the floorboard waiting to spring free. In 1960, he moved to the Midland area, residing in Midkiff. Owning two ranches, one in Midkiff the other in Fort Stockton, he had many tales and life lessons to share. One of his more miraculous prospered from a welding incident. A fire began to spread behind him and the wind was ferociously spreading the fire while he tried to use his shovel and dirt to extinguish it. Helplessly, he asked God to help him find the strength and to stop the wind so that he could save his land (and his neighbors) from the intense flames. His prayers were answered; almost immediately the wind ceased and the fire was laid to rest. Odis was a simple man that was very thankful for everything that he had accomplished in his life. He previously owned a gas station that President George Bush, Senior often frequented. His love for life was contagious and he accomplished so much during his 97 years. No matter the state he was in, he always commented “well I guess I am okay, because I am still here”. The family takes comfort in knowing that he is in a much better place and that he is still laughing with a huge smile on his face. He was a Baptist with a love for God and was also a lifetime member of the NRA. Many lessons could be learned from his time well spent here with us, but the main thing that Odis preached was that “honesty is the most important thing”. Odis remarried on June 19, 2013 to his best friend, Rose E. Marquez. Although their time together was brief, it was full of love and happiness. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all that knew him.Odis is preceded in death by his first wife, Viola Holiman; son, H. Lewis Holiman; parents, Joe and Emma Holiman; sisters, Elsie Harper, Mozelle Holiman and Irene Gurtrude Holiman; and his brothers, Bill and Leonard Holiman.He is survived by his wife, Rose Marquez Holiman of Midland; daughter, Viola Marie Early of Midland; grandchildren, Kyle Epting of Midland, Garland Epting of Midland, Stacy Grounds of Florida, and Tanya Winger of Dallas/Fort Worth; daughter-in-law, Patti Holiman; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Children’s Cancer Society (http://thechildrenscancersociety.org/donate_now).,