1935-2018
Cecil Holmes was born May 8, 1935 in Texarkana, Texas to Rosa Gerbino and Bryant Holmes. He moved to Pensacola, Florida in 1953 after graduating from Texas High School and serving a sign painting apprenticeship with his stepfather Walter Shidet. In Pensacola, Cecil started Holmes Sign Company and continued to paint for over 45 years.
Cecil was always active and involved in many organizations. He had many hobbies including square dancing, clogging, playing the trumpet, long distance running, water skiing, camping, fishing, and coaching. He was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. In the late 1990’s, Cecil planted a Christmas Tree Farm on his grandfather’s property in Texarkana, Texas and later moved back to tend to the trees.
Cecil is preceded in death by his son Cecil Anthony (Tony) Holmes and brothers Bryant Anthony Holmes and Robert Lemuel Holmes. He is survived by his sister Rose Marie Nelson of Arlington, Texas, daughters Debra Parker (son-in-law Billy Parker) of Molino, Florida, Donna Crump of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Haley Holm (daughter-in-law Cheryl) of San Antonio, Texas, as well as four grandsons and five great grandchildren.
A mass will take place on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 1:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Pensacola.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home.
