Peter,
My family and our Brothers in Arms will never forget you. Your loyalty, patriotism and tenacity to fight for friends, and righteous causes in God's eyes were second to none.  You were always the consummate gentleman and in the 41 years that I’ve known you, you never swore.   You were eternally cool under adversity and pressure providing sound advice to your friends when they experienced life’s trials.  You appreciated quality, hard work and brought out the best in those around you.  We have countless good memories of the times we shared together.   Thank you for your kindness and encouragement.  There will always be a place at our table and in our hearts for “Uncle Pete”.   God Bless you until we meet again my friend!
Gil Sanderson

Pete(Goob),

I will miss you always.  So sorry to have just learned of your passing this 7th day of February through the kindness and diligence of mutual friend Gil Sanderson.  We had a lot of laughs over the past 41years.  A lot of sidemeat got grilled on that weber and a lot of bourbon and branch drunk.  I will treasure my "white lightning" drinking glassware always and think of you.  You left us much too soon Goob.

Carmie

Peter,

My wife and I are truly saddened by your departure. We just learned of the news. We will forever remember our nights at Tripps and the memorial conversations and discussions we had. As for me, I remember so well the countless coffee times on board the USNS Lenthall where, with Captain Popp, we solved the world's problems and listened to your stories. I can not express the loss that I feel. You were a true friend and gentleman.

Your friends forever,
Doug and Janet Puritis

Pete, I've known you my whole life. Thanks for housing my mom and me while our house in VB was being built all those years ago. Thanks for the grilled chicken and ridiculous stories you told to me, Connor, and Gordon throughout the years. Thank you for offering your awesome car and chauffering services to me and Sean for our wedding. I'll never forget you and I know we'll meet again. 

like a rocket sled to glory,

Stephen and I are extremely shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Peter's death. We know how difficult this must be for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.  Peter was such an awesome man.  He was a generous man with immense depth of character.  We had the privilege to get to know him.  We found him to be one of the few people you meet that will forever stand out in your mind.  

I worked with him for almost a year now.   At first I found him to a peculiar man, as is my father.  However, my first impression were not as it seemed.  He was guarded at first, but became a friend.  In the time I spent with Peter, I found him to be a strong and pragmatic man, kind and loyal.  He was wise, dynamic and enterprising.  Always pleasant and polite, as if he had an attitude of “not only is the glass half full, but there is a full glass around here someplace too.” Always optimistic! 
There was not a week or so that went by that I was not in touch with Peter personally and/or professionally.   He was reserved yet social, always encouraging those who were close to him to join him socially.  I (we) truly enjoyed each time we were together as he was always upbeat, charming and jokey, yet sometimes even cheeky.  I deeply regret I was unable to join him socially on Sunday before he died.  In fact, I spoke with him on Friday and he expressed his joy in returning home for the holidays.  The first thing that came to my mind were the stories he would have on his return.  Peter liked to talk about his visits at home, present and past, (especially the story about running over the fence :)

I know how much you will miss Peter, we all will miss him here in Virginia Beach.  In knowing his tenants he was immensely respected, a firm yet fair man.

I encourage you to draw on your strength and the strength of your family.  May God bless you and your family during this time and always.

Warmly,
Denise Bertelli and Stephen Brant
Virginia Beach, VA

Pete and I were friends for nearly 30 years.  He was witty, funny and had a great heart. His political opinions were truly unique. He would do anything to help a truly deserving person.  Pete taught me to cook on the Weber grill and make his famous chicken.  We shared many years of family, holidays and fun.  I miss him terribly and wish his family well. Farewell shipmate, fair winds and following seas.

To the Holmes family:  Peter will be  greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.  Peter was a hard worker and was always busy upgrading his properties at Kempsville Lakes in Virginia Beach.  He was always quick and sure with his responses and looked at life a little bit differently than the rest of us.  He was always ready to lend an ear to listen to what ever you had to say.  He was a good man and we are glad to have known him.

Mr. Holmes sold us our first home and i will never forget that. He was always kind and considerate. He will truely be missed in "the pocket"

To the Holmes Family:  I was both shocked and saddened to read Peter's obituary in the Norfolk paper this past Saturday!  He and I were friends at the Bally Fitness Center in Va Beach where we shared a love of being classic automobile enthuasists:  his 1979 Dove Gray Continental matched my 1979 Gold Continental; and often both cars were parked near each other in the parking lot, generating lots of positive comments regarding the "ones they don't build anymore"!  But I know that his real pride and joy was the 1948 Mercury which he had just recently completed a complete interior renovation!  Peter was most helpful in passing the fine points of maintaining his classic automobiles on to me when I requested help.  At Bally's, Peter was always well-groomed, trim and fit, and with his over-the-calf white socks!!  I am devastated by his  unexpected passing, and I extend my sincere sympathy to Mrs. Holmes and all of Peter's family at this time of your very personal loss.  Sincerely, Jim Story

Mrs. Holmes & family, we are saddened by the newsof Peter's death.  WE knew him for many years & he was a wonderful man. Please accept our condolences.  Mary & Rudy Livingston & Sabrina Shilts

To The Holmes Family, 
  It saddens our heart to hear of Mr. Holmes passing. We are tenants of his in Va. Beach. It really touched me deeply to hear of his sudden passing. He was truly a great man with a lot of humor. He love cracking his jokes and making people laugh. We are really gonna miss him. And as Pete use to say you live in the pocket(his name for our neighbor hood) and nothing goes on in the pocket. Just know that God will never leave you comfortless. And he will be healing to each of you. May you find the peace to help you get through this lost in your time of sorrow. The Taylor's

Dear Mrs. Holmes and Dr. Waltress,
I too was a classmate of Peter's and am so sorry to hear of his death. May God hold you in the palm of His hand and bring you comfort. May your memories of Peter bring a smile to your heart.
Penny Morrison McRee

Peter was always a joy to be around. He always made me laugh. He was a charismatic, genorous, caring person. I enjoyed his stories and jokes. He taught me many little catch phrases. Everyone at Bally Total Fitness knew Peter as "HTR" (High, Tight & Right), "No saggin butts or draggin guts", "stay with your lugage" and my personal favorite "kick a tire, light a fire, bolt the dog out like a rocket sled on rails". On the flip side, he was smart and insightful. I will miss Peter a great deal. He will not be forgotten. It was an honor to know him.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 
       - Leo Buscaglia

Dear Mrs Holmes and Family,
We will keep Peter and you all in our thoughts and prayers at this time in our mourning of his sudden death.  Peter was a true friend who was generous and compassionate. I will always remember him and miss his genuine friendship.  From our Hampton Roads Squadron of the Association of Naval Aviation, we were grateful for his service to our nation and his support for Naval Aviation's role in our Country's National Defense.  He was a true " Patriot"
Sincerely,  Pete Koch : 3604 Kings Lake Drive  Va Beach, Va. 23452

My deepest sympathy to the family.  Peter and I have been friends since he first weent to work for MSC.  I was in complete shock when I read the paper this morning.  After my husband passed away in 09 Peter made a point of keeping in touch and asking if I needed help with anything.  I will miss him greately.  He was truly an officer and a gentleman.
Helen Marihew, VA Bch, VA

My deepest sympathy to your family. TCCC will not be the same!

Peter, I will miss your smiling face and special humor. It has been my pleasure knowing you for so many years. Did you ride the White Lightning through the Pearly Gates?

Thinking of our Pontotoc family. So sorry we couldn't be there with you today for Peter's funeral. Seeing these photos bring back some happy memories. You are in our prayers.
Love,
Sky,Tom and Sarah

So sorry to hear of your loss. I also went to school at Pontotoc with Peter. I enjoyed seeing your photos of him. Rose Cox, Avon, IN.

Mrs. Holmes, terribly sadden by the news of Peters passing.
We were Peters tenants here in Virginia Beach for 5 yrs. and remained friends. 
When Peter would visit Mississippi, my wife Debbie was his Mail Angel (Peters name for her).
He will truly be missed!!!!!

I will miss Peter. My heartfelt sympathy to his sister and mother and extended family.  City Club will not be the same.
Jack

Mrs Holmes and Dr. Waltress
I was in the class of 1964 at PHS with Peter. I have not seen him since school, but I often heard about him. I am sorry for your loss. Our class would not have been complete without Peter. Everyone liked him.

Mrs. Holmes, I am so sorry to hear about Peter's death. We attended school together at Pontotoc.That seems like a lifetime ago.May God bless you during your time of sorrow and help your heart to heal.

Peter you were a true friend.  Candis and I will miss you.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Mrs. Holmes and Dr. Waltress
I am so very sorry and for you loss. Mr. Holmes was a friend and a neighbor. I enjoyed having conversations with him at Bally's and Tripps. I will truly miss our conversations and seeing him driving those classic cars through Virginia Beach. He will be missed!
Mark Barbrow

OBITUARY

Peter Anderson Holmes

June 12, 1946 – November 30, 2010

Browning Funeral Home

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