Gerald D. Holmes

Gerald D. (Jerry) Holmes, 88, of Kansas City, MO, died on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15th at McGilley State Line Chapel, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, March 16th, 10:00 a.m., at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes, Kansas City, MO, with burial following in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), 10500 Barkley, Overland Park, KS 66212, or to Bishop Sullivan Center, 6535 Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64126.

Jerry was born in Farmington, MO in 1927. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1949. He pursued graduate studies at St. Louis University. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He married his college sweetheart, Jeanne Reedy in 1950.

Jerry retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in 1986 with 37 years of service. He began his career in St. Louis and progressed through assignments in Hannibal, St. Louis and Springfield before moving to Kansas City in 1969. He was administrator of the Telephone Pioneers chapter before becoming Regional Vice President of the Telephone Pioneers of America Association.

He was active in St. Thomas More parish as a 40 year member of the Celebration Choir, and was president of More Friends. He dedicated over 15 years of volunteer service at St. Joseph Medical Center. He was a songwriter member of ASCAP.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jeanne, in 2013 and grandson, Brian, in 2010. He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Petrie, son-in-law, Jim and grandson, Jeff of Overland Park, KS.