Vergil Van Holland was born on December 21, 1955. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he grew up in the city’s Westside Historic Community. “Verg”, as he was affectionately called, attended Amanda McCoy Elementary, Earnest Parker and R.L. Paschal High School, where he graduated. Vergil began his career working for the city of Fort Worth, Texas. Early in life, he accepted Christ, was baptized  and became a member of First Pilgrim Valley Baptist Church.

Vergil kept to himself, although he and his mom became unofficial Citizens on Patrol (COP’s) in their apartment complex. Nothing or no one got passed him nor his mother, Josephine. PLEASE don’t park in their parking spots or you would never hear the end of it, you just might get towed if they didn’t think you belonged there.

“Verge” had a special love for his children and grandchildren and was passionate about the things that concerned them. He never missed an opportunity to sow into their lives. They were his heartbeats and they meant the world to him. He also had a special bond with his great nieces and great nephews, they brought him so much joy. He took so much pleasure & pride in teaching his youngest nephew, Travion “Tra”, how to do so many things. One in particular was how to hit hard in football, which will always be remembered when Tra commences to playing sports.

Vergil was the Co-Founder of the now, R.L. Paschal Afro-Centric Alumni Association (RLPAAA). It was after the loss of our dearly beloved classmate, Wayne Graves, that he and other Alumni came together to form such a meaningful organization.

Mr. Vergil Van Holland became ill while in the medical field at Harris Methodist Hospital. He took wings and entered rest on Thursday morning, February 22, 2018, with his daughters, Amber and Shynika and oldest granddaughter, Jaidah near his side. Upon his arrival he was greeted by his mother, Josephine Rose.

He is cherished in memory by the mother of his four children, Lisa Collier; his son, Virgil Whitney; three daughters, Shynika Whitney Jackson and spouse Gary, Ashley Whitney and Amber Whitney; brother, Michael Rose; sisters, Dionisia “Necy” Rose and Vanessa Montgomery; aunt, Lois Hawkins; eleven grandchildren, Jaidah, Jakailah, Jacquelyn, Jesse, Aniya, Keeiona, Virgil, Jr., Jerod, Jr., Journee, Raylen and Baylee; and a host of other relatives and a vast number of loving friends.