Harry Fredrick Holmes Jr.

Harry F. Holmes, Jr. was born on September 21, 1943, in Clinton, Maryland, to Harry and Ethel. Known as Skip to his family and closest friends, he grew up alongside his beloved sister, Dee (Dorothea). He passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, at age 82.

He was attending the University of Maryland when he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. He served in the Vietnam War and was stationed at Fort Bliss. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1967, where he laid roots in El Paso as a proud Texan with an immense love for the Dallas Cowboys.

Following his military service, he completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Texas at El Paso. Skip dedicated his professional life to education. He taught and served in several academic teaching and administrative roles within the Ysleta and the Gadsden Independent School Districts for over thirty-five years. A forward thinker and innovator, he was a pioneer in bringing technology into the classroom and home, always focused on improving learning opportunities for students and educators alike.

On February 7, 1981, he married the love of his life, Yodonna. With their marriage, he joyfully gained an instant family of three daughters, whom he loved and raised as his own for over 45 years with unwavering devotion and pride.

Skip was a long-time and faithful member of Bethany Christian Church, where he found community, purpose, and fellowship throughout his life. With Yodonna, he served as a Youth Ministry group leader where he drove many miles spanning decades to transport teens to attend retreats throughout Texas and New Mexico, including area youth council conferences in Ft. Worth at Texas Christian University, and summer camps at Tres Rios in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

An avid traveler, he relished the countless adventures experienced coast to coast across the United States and Canada in tents and RVs alongside his family and grandchildren. Among the most cherished memories were a hurricane in Padre Island, a blazing New Orleans, a thrilling desert escort, cavernous Virginia, historical New England, the patriotic grandeur of our nation’s capitol, the mesmerizing Big Apple, crabbing and clamming and ten-pound lobsters, the thunderous falls of Niagara, and the vast Grand Canyon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ethel and his brother in-law Donald Navratil. He is survived by his loving wife, Yodonna of El Paso, TX; his daughters Betsy Guerrero Poer of Fort Worth, TX, Ginny Lynn Gomez-Leon (Steve) of San Antonio, TX and Mindy Lynn Villalba (Jonas) of Cypress, CA; his seven grandchildren: Megan Gomez-Leon Garcia (David), Olivia Villalba, Mallory Gomez-Leon, Hugo Villalba, Eilyn Poer, Gavin Gomez-Leon and Bianca Villalba; his sister Dee Navratil; his nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews, all of whom will forever hold dear his love, guidance, and steady presence.

In keeping with Skip’s wishes, no public service will be held. A private burial will be held at Ft Bliss National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choice in his memory. Skip, Yodonna, and family are avid supporters of The Food Bank of El Paso and Veterans resources.