Allen “Stretch” Holmes

Sunrise: January 14, 1939 ~  Sunset: March 30, 2017
“God sees when the footsteps falter,
When the pathway grows too steep;
Then He touches the weary eyelids
And gives His dear ones sleep.”
Born in McComb, Mississippi on January 14, 1939, Allen “Stretch” Holmes was the second of four children born to Joe and Ella Holmes,
His family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in 1942.
Allen lost both his parents at an early age.
In his youth, Allen united with Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Phoenix. Allen received his early education in the Phoenix Union public schools and graduated from Phoenix Union High School.  Allen was a star player on the Phoenix Union High School basketball team that won the State Championship in 1957.  That year, they were undefeated 23-0.  During the championship game his junior year, he scored 42 points within a 20-minute period. Phoenix Union had a 56-game winning streak that spanned two seasons, due much in part to Allen’s talent on the court — 1955-56 and 1956-57.
He earned an athletic scholarship to attend Weber State Junior College in Utah, and in 1958 he led the Junior College in scoring…and was picked All Conference & selected JUCO first team, All – American. In 1959, he led the team to a National Junior College Championship, and was voted the Tournament M.V.P.
Shortly afterward, he would earn an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Utah in 1960…making the All-Region Team. He played in the East-West All American game in 1963.
While in Salt Lake City, Allen united with Calvary Baptist under the leadership of Pastor Frances A. Davis.
Allen’s college basketball tenure came to an unfortunate end when he was involved in a serious automobile accident.  He was hospitalized for approximately nine months. Medical professionals advised him that his leg was so badly injured that it needed to be amputated and he would never walk again, nor play basketball.  He refused the amputation and responded, “I will walk again and play basketball”.  AND, HE DID.
Allen was inducted into the Weber State Hall of Fame and the JUCA Hall of Fame in 1990. Following those inductions, he was also inducted into the Utah Hall of Fame in November of 1998.
Allen’s potential as a college basketball star on the court was only exceeded by his dedication to Civil and Human Rights, as demonstrated through his 20 years of hard work as Ethnic Minority Resource Specialist with the Department of Corrections.
While excelling at basketball, he had also earned his Bachelor of Science & Journalism Degree from the University of Utah, assisting him off the court, after basketball was no longer an option. He worked with inmates, encouraging them to become involved with educational programs while within the system, as well as excelling in setting many an inmate up toward living and surviving in functional society upon their release. Allen acknowledged the difficulties each inmate faced, and assisted them in becoming better people. He was very dedicated to his work.
He spent the majority of his professional career following playing basketball, as an Ethnic Minority Resource Specialist at the State of Utah Department of Corrections, up until his retirement.
Allen was united in matrimony for 25 years to the late Tony Kaye Shelley of Salt Lake City, Utah. He loved her with all his heart, and shall be laid to rest next her.
He lived his life with purpose, cared for others and made a strong difference.
His motto was “Never Give Up”.
He inspired all who knew him.
When he was not working, performing community service activities, or fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club and other charities, he enjoyed watching old westerns and sports on television.
He loved the game of basketball.
If you were fortunate enough to ever hear Allen’s incredible bass solo rendition of “Ol’ Man River”, I know you would agree that it was incredibly uplifting and memorable.
Allen attributes his success to his Mother, whom died when he was only 10 years old. He remembered her sayings, which were motivational to him. The first quote of which was, “Get up & get on with your life”. The 2nd quote, “You might give out, but you never give up”.
Allen received numerous awards and recognition such as:
* NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King Junior “Living Legend” Award – awarded 1999
* Utah Sports Hall of Fame – awarded 1998
* Weber State Athletic Hall of Fame –  awarded 1989
* NJCAA Athletic Hall of Fame – awarded 1989
* Phoenix Union High School / Inaugural Sports Hall of Fame – awarded 2015
Allen was preceded in death by his wife, Tony Kaye Holmes, two brothers, William Henry Holmes and Leroy Holmes, and Foster Mother Annabelle Weakley.
He leaves to cherish his memory three children:  Byron Scott of Redondo Beach, California – Jennifer Holmes and Craig Holmes of Salt Lake City, Utah – One sister, Marilyn Holmes Tang of Phoenix, Arizona – five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and dear friends.
Service Information
Viewing April 4, 2017 at 6:00 PM
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, UT





Viewing April 5, 2017 at 10:00 AM
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, UT





Funeral Service
April 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM
3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, UT