Mr. Jack F. Holmes

Jack F. Holmes, beloved son of J. Frank and Mabel M. Holmes passed away Friday, March 11, 2011 at the age of 91. Jack was born February 14, 1920, (befittingly on Valentines Day), a most loving and caring man full of heart. He truly exemplified an honorable and remarkable life well lived. Jack was a highly respected and well recognized venture capitalist during his life and also maintained several careers simultaneously. Jack was a graduate of Shortridge High School in 1937. He then received his BS degree in Economics of Finance from IU in 1941, and then his MBA degree in Business Administration from Harvard in 1943. 1943 duty compelled him to enlist into the war. Jack loved and proudly served as a WWII veteran and hero. Jack quickly went through the ranks of Corporal to Captain and amazed all his commanding officers. He reported under a special operations team assignment to Eisenhower. As well as his official officer duties, he was recognized for the Battle of Normandy and Northern France campaign, for which he received his medals and 2 battle participant bronze stars. His commanding officers told Jack his name was to be listed for Purple Heart. However, a humble man, he requested them not do so. He also told them it was a privilege and honor to serve to protect his country and her rights of freedom and democracy. He felt that honor should be for the soldiers who sacrificed and gave their lives for their country and did not consider himself a hero. We do Jack more ways than one. He also received the European African and Middle Eastern Service medal and the soldiers American Theater Ribbon. The French Embassy issued him a certificate in appreciation for his involvement in the liberation of France. As an officer and member of the special operations team reporting to Eisenhower, his military Jacket adorns the prestigious Eisenhower badge he so proudly wore. Jack will be laid to rest after wearing his uniform he so proudly wore. After the war he received an honorable discharge 1946, however, he volunteered to remain as a reserve office for several years thereafter and in 1952 was placed on inactive status. He was hired on as a corporate business systems statistical analyst for the Creole Petroleum Corporation (later to be known as Exxon) and soon became comptroller. As a well known and respected Venture Capitalist he initiated successfully over 30 to 50 ventures in his life time. Always striving to do more, he further continued his education to add to his degrees his Jurat Degree from IU School of Law in 1971. That same year he went to Florida and was admitted to the Florida bar after taking his Florida bar exam completely in Spanish. He retired from law in 2006 and was placed on inactive status with the Indiana Bar and retired from the Florida bar. However, along side his capital ventures, he also maintained an extraordinary long-time career with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance as an insurance broker for over 50 years and retired at the age of 89 from Northwestern. Jack was honored and made a Protem Judge of the Marion Superior Court 2 at age 88. Jack spoke several languages fluently and loved to travel abroad. Though your body was stricken with Parkinson's at age 85 you never let it take your strong mind or spirit. Never one to complain, Jack dealt with life's challenges. There will never be another Jack Holmes. Dearest Jack, you said to us you made it your life's motto, "I will serve and live my life each day to its fullest". You did just that while leaving your legacy imprinted uniquely inside each and every one of us. Dearest Jack you are so dearly missed!! As your heavenly family and Father embrace you home, we can almost hear them say, "Welcome home dearest, faithful son and servant, such a wonderful life well done". You are forever in our hearts!

Those wishing to make a contribution in honor of his memory are encouraged to contribute to a Parkinson's research organization of their choosing.