OBITUARY

Hollis Newton Bean

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Hollis Newton Bean was the only surviving son of Jasper Newton Bean and Ida Almeda Vickers Fluitt Bean. He answered the final call on June 27 at the age of 92. He was born at home in the community of Pilgrim, Texas, the youngest of 6 children. Hollis can be described as cowboy extraordinaire, a gifted “fixer” of anything, and a true Scotsman of the clan McBain. Most of all he was a loving husband for 67 years and faithful father to Ray and Bonnie.

It was not uncommon for Hollis to have several jobs in order to provide for his family. He retired from the City of Gonzales with a lifetime license from the State of Texas as a water operator. He farmed watermelons and tomatoes in the early years, cowboyed for many ranches, and successfully operated his own cow-calf herd in Thompsonville for 68 years. Hollis loved horses, dogs and cows in that order.

Hollis served his country as a member of the U S Army from 1945 to 1947. He began as an infantryman and ended as an instructor and supply coordinator ordinance division, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. Hollis enjoyed recounting tales about many of his fellow soldiers, their adventures and travels.

Hollis was a man of his word. He lived by the cowboy creed:

A cowboy never takes unfair advantage-- even of an enemy. A cowboy is free from racial and religious intolerances. A cowboy is always helpful when someone is in trouble. A cowboy is always a good worker. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents, and his nation's laws.

He held high expectations of himself in all that he did. When Hurricane Carla struck the Gonzales area in the 1960s, he remained at work for three days without break so that the citizens were assured an abundant and safe water supply and because he said it was too dangerous for his co-workers to travel to work.

Hollis Newton Bean is preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, wife Hazel Ruth Blundell Bean, son Hollis Ray Bean, his brothers Delma, Lawrence, and Olin Fluitt, and sisters Juanita Fluitt Hamblin and Vivian Fluitt Smith. He is survived by his daughter Bonnie Bean Hyman (Bill); granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth Marshall (Thomas); great granddaughters, Emma Elizabeth and Autney Rose Marshall and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Private family graveside services will be held at Thompsonville. The family thanks his faithful caregiver, LaVerne Davis, as well as, a host of Thompsonville neighbors who brought delicious meals, along with lots of home visits and phone calls to help pass the time he spent alone after Hazel’s death. (Danna and Dorothy Kincaid, Tommy Blackmon, Jim and Nanette Monaghan, Carol Shea and David Allison, Betty Schroeder, Pablo Ramos.) Your kindness shall never be forgotten.

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