Rogers Baldwin Holmes Jr.

Rogers Baldwin Holmes, Jr. , age 68, passed away in Jacksonville, FL, February 25, 2018 after a brave battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born in Jacksonville, FL, on July 6, 1949. His parents are Rogers Baldwin Holmes, Sr. and the late Lockwood Morris Holmes. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Melissa Loomis Lincoln, his two sons, Rogers Baldwin Holmes lll and Samuel London Holmes, two brothers, Kenneth Alexander Holmes and Lockwood Pool Holmes (Tricia), two sisters, Leighton Holmes Tesche and Mary Holmes Roebuck, and four nephews and two nieces.

He attended Robert E. Lee High School and Sante Fe Jr. College. Rogers served for 20 years in the Air National Guard in the 159th Fighter Squadron. He was employed for 40 plus years at Holmes Lumber Co/Builders FirstSource as a salesman and currently as Regional Credit Manager. A good friend and customer once said that Rogers had an “encyclopedic” knowledge of the lumber business and he was always so very kind and helpful to him. He was an active member of the NEFBA, the Clay County Builders Association, The Florida Home Builders Association and was a charity fundraiser through Builders FirstSource and The Clay Builders Association.

He was a member of the Police Council, the Friars Club, Gateway Shooters, The Republican Party and served on the Board of the NEFLA Hunting Club. Throughout Rogers’ life, he was a mentor and encourager to young men to reach their highest potential through his involvement with the Navy/Ortega Little League (NOL) as a volunteer and a coach and through the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout Advisor and Charity contributor. He just recently was presented an award for his contribution to the Eagle Scout Program. He tapped his reluctant friends into coaching for NOL and many said it was the most rewarding thing they have ever done.

His hobbies included hunting, working on cars, reading and hunting lizards with his two dogs. A natural sportsman, Rogers became a proficient marksman with a great respect for guns and awareness of firearm safety. In 1991 he achieved the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge, part of an elite group of civilian members to achieve this award. (He was very proud of this accomplishment). As a friend, he was well known for his dry wit and sense of humor.

BUT, his greatest passion and accomplishment of his life was his love for his two boys, Rogers and Sam.

In the second half of his life, Jesus Christ was Rogers’ ultimate Lord and Savior. A family graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Noon. There will be a reception following for friends and family at The Ortega River Club, 4165 Lakeside Drive from 2 – 4pm. Funeral Services are provided by Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home of Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The North Florida Council/Boy Scouts of America, 521 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32205.