SOLOMON J. (SOLLY) HEMUS
1923-2017
SOLLY HEMUS died on October 3, 2017. He was born April 17, 1923 in Phoenix, Arizona to Benjamin O. and Emilie B. Hemus. At the age of one, Solly, with his parents and brothers George and Benny, moved to San Diego, California. Two more siblings, Tony and Peggy, came along while the family was living in San Diego. It was here that Solly received his basic education and developed his love for baseball. He played baseball at St. Augustine High School, but his most memorable games as a teenager were the sandlot games he played with Ray Boone and Ted Williams.
In 1941, at the age of 17, Solly joined the Navy. His mother had to go with him to enlist since he was a minor. He spent four years in the Navy as a chief aviation ordnanceman.
After Solly was discharged from the military, he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and went to spring training in Florida. Unfortunately, he did not last too long with the Dodgers and was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946. He first went to Pocatello, Idaho to play with the Pocatello Cardinals, a single A team for the Redbirds. In 1947, Solly was moved up to AA ball and sent to Houston, Texas to play with the Houston Buffs (Buffalos). He played for the buffs from 1947 to 1949. Solly finally made it to “The Show” in 1949 and played with the St. Louis Cardinals as a second baseman and short stop until 1956. In May of 1956, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies and played there until 1958. In the fall of 1958, Solly was reacquired by the St. Louis Cardinals and was named player-manager by owner August “Gussie” Busch. Solly remained with the Cardinals until 1962.
After Solly left the Cardinals organization, he was a coach for the New York Mets from 1962-1963, and the Cleveland Indians from 1964-1965. In 1966, Solly was a manager for the Met’s top farm club, the Jacksonville Sun, and this was his final appearance in baseball.
In 1966, Solly came to Houston, Texas to begin his career in the oil business. He worked out of his home making deals and some money, and eventually moved into a small office. In the 1970’s, he hired Leah Fash as his secretary and Paul Barenkamp as his landman. Solly became a success in the oil business with the help of Paul, Hal Hudgins, Sonny Cabiness and so many other businessmen in the oil industry. He retired from the oil business in 2011.
Solly married his long time love, Betty Thomas, on February 14, 1989 at S. Anderson Winery in Napa, California. Together they have traveled the world and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Solly was always known as a flashy dresser because he loved to wear bright colored blazers and slacks. He was gregarious and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was truly a generous and caring man and very philanthropic. He supported many charity organizations around the country. Two of his favorites were the Texas Italian-American Sports Foundation and the Baseball Assistant Team (BAT).
Solly is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, George, Benny and Tony. He is survived by his wife, Betty, sister Peggy Leiker of San Diego, CA., daughter Peggy Hemus, step-children Jackie Murray and her husband Wayne, Robert Thomas and his wife Linda, and Cindy Durkin and her husband John; grandchildren Adam Murray and his wife Amanda, and their children A.J., Olivia, and Owen, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins living in San Diego and other areas of California. The family would also like to thank Maria Cuellar for her many years of dedicated service, love and support she provided to Solly.
A visitation will be on Friday, October 13, 2017, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas. The funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, beginning at 3:00 pm, also at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT), 245 Park Ave., 31st Floor, New York, NY 10167 (www.baseballassistanceteam.com) or the Texas Italian-American Sports Foundation (TIASF), P.O. Box 130163, Houston, Texas 77219-0163 ( www. TIASF.org), in honor of Solly’s remarkable life.