The celebration of 44 years of life and service dedicated to educating young athletes, was suppose to be a surprise to Hollis Felder, by his family and friends, but, like he did opposing teams trying to sneak in a trick play, “Coach” sniffed it out. The celebration began with a solo “To God Be The Glory” by vocalist Wendy McGahee, accompanied by Maurice Weans. Greetings by Ellis Douglas, co-worker and friend Walter Yates served as Toast Master.

Hollis was roasted by his brother Johnny B. Felder, his best friend Charles Herbert, his former Co-Workers Wendell Neal, Larry Blackmon and Horace Roberts, former students Laura Miller, W.E. Blackmon, Gerald Smith and Kanavis McGee.

Presentations were given by the 2001-2002 Wheatley H.S. Cheerleaders, Bruce Goffney, Wheatly H.S. principal, the Honorable State Representatives Scott Hochberg and Al Edwards and Chairman James Ward, Communications Dept. Texas Southern University and Expressions of gratitude by Hollis D. Felder, Jr.

Hollis Felder is a native of Chapel Hill, Texas. The Felder family moved to Houston when he was three years old. While living in Houston’s Historic Third Ward area, Hollis attended Blackshear Elementary.

In 1948, the family relocated to the Historic Fifth Ward. Phillis Wheatley Junior and Senior High School was then located on Lyons Avenue. Hollis was among the members of the first 10th grade class to move to Phillis Wheatley Senior High School’s new building at 4900 Market Street. While attending Phillis Wheatley, Hollis excelled in football, basketball, and track.

The Class of 1953 voted him the “The Outstanding Athlete.” He also received such awards as “All City”, “All District”, “All State Basketball Center”, “All State Football End” and “All Around Track”. During Hollis’ senior year at Wheatley HS, Coach Eddie Robinson of Grambling state University scouted him along with numerous college and university coaches.

He selected Texas Southern University in order to be close to his mother and family. While at TSU, he was awarded the “Cloverland Award”, “Who’s Who Among Colleges”, “All SWAC 1956” and “All American End 1956”, just to name a few. Hollis graduated from TSU in 1957, along with his brother Johnny B. and immediately began his teaching and coaching career.

He began his career as a teacher and coach in 1957, at M.R. Wood High School in Sugarland, TX. (Fort Bend ISD) He taught Biology, Health, History, and Physical Education and was the Head Football Basketball, and Track Coach. During the nine years, he led the “Mighty” Panthers to eight consecutive Championships. He was then nominated and selected “Who’s Who Among Teachers”.

While at M.R. Wood, he married Bettye Jo Bryant and fathered two sons and a daughter, Hollis Jr., Gregory, and Kittye. After leaving Wood, Felder accepted the assignment as Head Football Coach at E.O. Smith Middle School (his alma mater) in 1965, and fathered twin sons, Edward and Edwin. During his second year at E.O. Smith, he was named “Coach of the Year 1975” by the Texas High School Coaches Association and has since received countless awards, recognition and trophies,

In 1968, when T.R. Chatham became the principal of the new Lamar Fleming Middle School, Felder went with him. Felder coached football, basketball, and track while teaming with coaches Frankie Brazos, Lorenzo Butler, and Larry Blackmon. While at Lamar Fleming the “Vikings” squad won the District 1 Championship as well as their Bi-district Championship and Felder was named the Junior High Football “Co-Coach of the Year” by the Houston Coaches Association.

While leading the ‘Vikings” to winning District in football for 13 years, he became an icon. In 1980, Coach Larry Blackmon was the Head Track Coach and they won District with Felder’s support. Felder refused an offer by Mr. Charles Herbert to take the assignment as Wheatley’s Head Football Coach in 1978. He did not want to challenge Wheatley’s archrival and his brother’s team at Kashmere High School.

He finally accepted the assignment and went to Wheatley in 1981. He went to there as Defensive End/Receiver Football Coach and Head Track Coach in the fall of 1980. Wheatley went to the play-offs in football for two years while Troy Howard (his former student and protege) was head coach.