David William Holmes

David William Holmes, 69, of Santa Paula, passed away peacefully in Ventura on January 3rd, 2015 following a battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born on February 27, 1945 to Paul Holmes and Mildred Harrington Holmes Newman in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was raised in Moorpark where his family raised turkeys and ran the ‘Big Co.’ business. He graduated from Moorpark High School in 1963, then attended Ventura College briefly before being drafted into the Army from 1966-68 and serving in Vietnam. When he returned he met the love of his life, Michele Budy. They married in 1970 and remained together until his passing. They moved to Santa Paula where they restored and expanded the Harrington house built by his grandfather, Walter Harrington, in 1909. This is where they raised their son Tim. Dave worked at Bauer Manufacturing in Saticoy where he set up massive walnut dehydrators used throughout California by growers. He later became a journeyman machinist, known for being very skilled. Usually called ‘Sherlock’, he worked at Wiggins Forklift in Oxnard, then in Ventura at Reed Machine, Lapp Machine and Oil Country/Weatherford, where he finally retired. In his personal life, Dave was a huge soccer fan of both World Cup-level and local leagues. He made an impact on Santa Paula youth by volunteering countless hours as a coach, referee and AYSO commissioner for many years. The soccer goals at many schools and parks in Santa Paula were built and installed by Dave at no charge, and some are still in use today. He was an avid railroad fan, model train collector, Harley-Davidson enthusiast and a member of the National Woodie Club. He was restoring a 1948 Oldsmobile Woodie and a 1940 Harley-Davidson 3-wheeler with many garage-fabricated parts. He enjoyed listening to the blues, camping, hiking, movies, roller coasters, train-watching and fixing stuff. And Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Dave is survived by his wife of 44 years, Michele Holmes, son Tim and wife Aimee, brother Dan and wife Sharlene, sister Mimi and wife Linda, nephew Mike and wife Colette and their son Danny, and nephew Steve and wife Alicia. He was preceded in death by his father Paul, mother Mildred, and stepfather Ray Newman. A service will be held at Skillin-Carroll chapel in Santa Paula at 11:00 am, January 13, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Santa Paula Football Club, a youth soccer program that encourages growth, at SPFC Academy, 122 N. 4th St. Santa Paula, CA 93060.