Armand H. Hollas

Armand H. Hollas, after spending his last hours with his family, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. He was 91 years old.

Armand was born at home on the family farm in High Hill on Sept. 7, 1931. He was the second of seven strong sons born to Hugo Sr. and Pauline (Schmidt) Hollas. After completing his education at Middle Creek School, Armand went to work the family farm full-time. Despite the hard work of being a subsistence farmer, Armand found time to pursue his passion of playing baseball on the The Herder Truckers and MG Feeders. He often rode his bike five miles to town (after working the farm all day) to catch a ride to games in Hallettsville and other area communities. Many old timers in the area still say he was one of the best.

In 1950 Armand volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and spent two years proudly serving in the elite Military Police Command at Fort Lewis, Washington. He served an additional eight years as an Army Reserve in the Texas Military District, receiving his Honorable Discharge in December 1960. After leaving Fort Lewis, Armand returned to Schulenburg where he married the love of his life, Mildred Hilscher, on April 24, 1955. The couple moved to Houston where they were parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. In August 1956, their son, Gerald was born, and daughter Janice followed in 1959, completing this incredible family.

During this time, Armand was working for Houston Natural Gas as well as Rupley Tire, while attending The University of Houston. He graduated in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, attained his CPA and landed a position in the auditing department of Magabar Industries. He was promoted to International Tax Manager and retired after 22 years as the Comptroller of Dresser Industries in 1986.

Armand then bought two acres in High Hill, where he built his dream home. Mildred retired from Shell Oil in 1992 and they made High Hill their permanent residence. Moving back home gave Armand the time to do what he thoroughly enjoyed, becoming an entrepreneur. He opened a used car dealership and purchased several rental properties while running Beef Master cattle on the farm. Armand enjoyed maintaining the farm and its equipment. He was a world class tinkerer and modifier.

Armand loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He possessed solid core values, honesty (sometimes brutal), morals, a strong work ethic, compassion, charity, dedication to duties and respect to all who would listen. Armand had a big heart and continued to give back to his community by serving on the Parish Councils of St. Rose of Lima and St. Pius X High School in Houson, the Chamber of Commerce and MHMR in Schulenburg, also the Knights of Columbus and the St. Joseph’s Society. Armand and Mildred had a passion for polka dancing. They belonged to the Polka Lovers Club of America where they were the King and Queen in 1996 and held various offices in the Club. They literally danced around the world. He was dedicated to keeping alive and preserving the history of polka dancing, by being a founding member and officer in the Polka Club of Texas Museum in La Grange.

Armand is survived by his wife of 67 years, Milded (Hilscher) Hollas; son Gerald (Linda) Hollas; daughter Janice (Steve) Simons; grandchildren Dan (Samantha), Tony (Lauren), Aaron (Hannah),Leah and Nathan Hollas, and Mandy (Amanda) and Steven Simons; and great-grandchildren Deagan Bradshaw, Myra Hollas, Sophia, Blake and Kiera Hollas, Emma, Kate, Jack and Nora Simons. He is also survived by his brothers, Alvin Hollas, Robert (Alice) Hollas, Winfred( CarolAnn) Hollas and Richard (Barbara) Hollas; and sisters-in-law, Rose (Leo) Hollas and Paula (Hugo Jr.) Hollas.

Armand was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo Sr. and Pauline (Schmidt) Hollas, brothers Leo Hollas and Hugo Hollas Jr. and sister-in-law Bernice Hollas.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill, with visitation starting at 9 a.m. and rosary at 10:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors by the Schulenburg American Legion took place at the church cemetery. Mass officiant was Rev. Jasper Liggio. Pallbearers were Steven Simons, Dan Hollas, Tony Hollas, Aaron Hollas, Nathan Hollas and Bill Morgan. Honorary pallbearers were Mandy Simons, Leah Hollas, Emma Simons, Sophia Hollas, Kate Simons, Blake Hollas, Jack Simons, Kiera Hollas, Nora Simons, Myra Hollas and Deagan Bradshaw. Readings were by Leah Hollas, David Hollas and Mandy Simons. Musical and vocals were by David Hollas.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Armand Hollas can be made to the St. Mary’s Restoration Fund, Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum in La Grange or the charity of one’s choice.