Zan is Still the Man! The Black Mystery Series

some segues. He will never allow a conversation to be about him.

By Vincent L. Hall

I keep a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. My job is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted!

– Zan Holmes

Zan Wesley Holmes Jr. arrived in Dallas in 1956, fresh from his undergraduate work at Huston-Tillotson College, a historically Black college near Austin, Texas. The school was formed by merging two schools; Samuel Huston College and Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute.

Huston-Tillotson, the amalgam produced by the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church in 1952, was virtually new in its nomenclature when Holmes graduated. The association with the United Methodist Church also helped lead him to Dallas and the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

Zan Holmes was a household name in the contingent areas from Waco to Austin. Holmes was the son of a preacher and always had a winning smile and win-

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Zan repositions accolades meant for him as a conduit for making positive observations about others. Dr. Holmes is a walking billboard of kindness and generosity.

"Sweet Jesus," as some knew him in south Texas places like Lockhart, Luling, and Seguin, has a place and personality of his own.

Creating a stand-alone identity can be challenging for PKs (preacher’s kids) to establish. Zan made a name for himself as a bridge-builder, a powerful preacher and a peace-promulgator perance ooze from every word and deed. His panoramic view of life and humanity allows him to see and comprehend everyone's place and point. tone and manner. After a police protest went way off the charted path in the 1990’s Dr. Holmes quieted the fires on both sides.

Zan was the second African American to claim Dallas’ coveted Linz Award. Juanita Craft was first and former First Lady Matrice Ellis-Kirk became the third in the awards’ 90-year history. Mrs. Craft won a Linz award for what she did, and Zan was recognized for what he did and for what he prevented.

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, Zan's most prolific member, made Dr. Holmes the official interpreter for the Dallas press corps. Price would curse out the media and any white folks that didn't like it, and Zan would be hounded for interviews and clarifying statements.

The retirement of Dr. Zan Wesley Holmes, now Pastor Emeritus at Dallas' St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, was the beginning of a socio-ecclesiastical diaspora for lots of us.

Dr. Holmes' final benediction as the angel of the house at Saint Luke was followed by an abundance of groans and sad goodbyes.

"We are not against our police department; we want a better police department, ” he firmly stated.

His sentiments were simple but accurate. No group of citizens needed the police more than the Black community, and no other community was abused more by the police.

“Zan Holmes was the model of what a preacher should be,” according to community activist and leader John Fullinwider.

In-person, he humbly drops his strong square jaws, slightly tilts his head and peers into every face-to-face encounter. He is an active listener who gives you your moment.

There is an old church hymn titled, "Let others see Jesus in you.”

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS

The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

After years of a rigorous daily running regimen, his doctors prescribed its cessation. It was too hard on the knees. The slight limp doesn't slow him, though.

He had that natural "pimp walk," before Barack Obama could spell Air Force One!

There were no natural substitutes for Zan the Man, Sweet Jesus, or whatever name you may know him by. No one.

Zan, a former Texas State Representative, could keep his feet firmly in the center of the political aisle. He has the MLK touch, and it is genuine. Love and tem-

Zan Holmes was always an ally, an alibi, and an objective overseer. He used his position as a clergyman and his powers of racial reconciliation to assuage and heal wounds. Zan knows how and when to say the right thing to the right people. At one point, almost half of Dallas's Black leaders and politicians were members or claimed association with his congregation.

The Reverend Zan Holmes, always the mediator and unbiased voice, has a knack for ending every encounter in a conciliatory

Dr. Zan Holmes is the walking manifestation of the song and a standard bearer for the Christian faith.

Zan lives in his purpose. He points to the Bible while he comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.

I love Dallas’ Black History, and I love me some Zan!