John Thomas Holmes

John Thomas Holmes began life February 14, 1941, in Lake, Mississippi. He was the third of nine children, and the eldest of three sons born to J.T. and Annie Bell Holmes. In 1958 John graduated valedictorian of Sherman Hill High School, then enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was recognized and awarded Airman of the year in 1963.

While in the service John “Dad” had numerous overseas assignments including, England, Italy, Vietnam, and temporary duty in Turkey. After completing his tour in Vietnam, John was reassigned to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona in the early 70’s. During his time at Luke Air Force Base, John graduated from the Tactical Air Command Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy. After graduating from the academy, he was assigned as First Sergeant for the equipment maintenance squadron. He was later awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding performance of his duties. This award recognized that he was instrumental in the improvement of operations and increased morale from 1976 through 1980.

After 21 years, John retired from the Air Force in 1980 in the rank of Master Sargent. He was offered a position with McDonald-Douglas Aircraft Company in 1981 as a Correspondence Liaison between the Royal Saudi Air Force and McDonald-Douglas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and based in Dhahran. From Dhahran he relocated to the McDonald-Douglas headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. John held this position for 19.5 years and it allowed him to travel to different locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. In 2001, John retired from McDonald-Douglas and lived his remaining years in San Antonio, Texas.

John’s career took him around the world, but his heart always remained in Mississippi and with his family. He was a loving husband and an outstanding father.

John completed his life’s work and was called home April 08, 2022, surrounded by family. He was proceeded in death by his parents J.T. and Annie Bell Holmes, his wife Ruth Elizabeth Holmes, and his brother Thomas Wilson Holmes.

John is survived by his wife Ruth Anderson Holmes, Adrienne Calloway (Will) of Centerville, Virginia; Timothy Richardson of Houston, Texas; Debra Holmes of Moreno Valley, California; Sharon Holmes of Glendale, Arizona; Karon Bazemore (Jeremiah) of Plymouth, North Carolina; Jason Anderson (Blanche) of Fort Worth, Texas; 7 siblings, 7 Grandchildren, 7 Great-Grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory may be made to The American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org