Col. Raymond Taylor Holmes, USAF (ret.)

Col. Raymond T. Holmes, USAF (ret.) of San Antonio, Texas passed away April 26, 2021. Raymond was born on May 4, 1942 to parents, Richard and Marie (Evans) Holmes in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He and his devoted wife, the former Evelyn Holt, of Albany, GA were married in New Jersey in 1965.

He graduated from Thomas A. Edison Vocational and Technical H.S. in Elizabeth and received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, from Howard University, Washington D.C. and was commissioned through the AFROTC program as a distinguished graduate in 1966. Raymond earned a Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, in 1969. He is also a graduate of the Air War College resident program, in Montgomery, AL.

Raymond retired after proudly serving his country for 28 years. He began his career by completing the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course at Chanute AFB, IL before being assigned to the 17th Bombardment Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB as a flightline maintenance officer and supervisor. His long service to our country then took him to Vietnam, RAF Bentwaters, England; the Pentagon, Washington D.C.; McChord AFB, WA; Travis AFB, CA and Kelly AFB, TX where he was the base commander.

Raymond’s last assignment was Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, TX where he became Deputy Director of Logistics. He retired in August 1994. He was awarded many medals which include the Legion of Merit, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Air Force Commendation with 1 device and a Meritorious Service Medal with 4 devices.

Following his retirement, Raymond continued to serve the military and civilian community of San Antonio as the Executive Director for the San Antonio Food Bank and Director of the local USO. Additionally, Raymond served as a board member of the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center, San Antonio Botanical Society, and Fisher House, Inc., at Lackland AFB. He was a member of the Optimist Club of Fort Sam Houston. Raymond was a proud lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of the local chapter, Pi Theta Lambda. He was also a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society.

In addition to his dedicated service to the San Antonio community, Raymond was a member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of San Antonio where he served on the vestry in various capacities. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf and many shopping trips to home improvement stores.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Marie Holmes; brothers, Richard Holmes and Ronald Holmes; and sister, Muriel Sharif.

Raymond is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn; daughters, Staci Holmes-Segarra and Robin Hautamaki; grandchildren, Taylor Segarra-Angus, Jordan Segarra, Sydney Segarra, and Andrew Hautamaki; sister, Marian Holmes-Thomas; several loving nieces and nephews; and many loving friends.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

11:00 AM

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 1310 Pecan Valley Dr., San Antonio, TX 78210.