Obituary for
Donald Holmes
Iron Mountain - Donald R. Holmes 65, of Iron Mountain, MI, passed away on Saturday, August 12th at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center.
Don was born August 10, 1952, in Stambaugh, MI to the late Glenn and Jane (Marquette) Holmes. He graduated from West Iron County High School in 1970.
Don served in the United States Air Force from 1971 to 1974 and is a Vietnam War Veteran, notably being stationed in Da Nang from 1972-1973. After the war, he was stationed at K.I. Sawyer, where he met his wife, Debra. They married in 1975. Don graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1977 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and went on to work for Systems Control as an Electrical Engineer from 1977-1989 and the Quinnesec Paper Mill as an E&I Tech from 1989-2013.
Don loved playing with his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. He enjoyed spending his time photographing wildlife and nature. He welcomed projects big and small and thrived when something needed to be fixed. He built his own home and helped others do the same. Recently, he enjoyed playing (and heckling) his dear friend Ben Sherk in games of cribbage and canasta.
Don loved music and took pride in being an "honorary member" of the Kingsford High School band. He was always there to make repairs to instruments or to help out at parades, football games, and other performances. His greatest pleasure was the annual Night Show performance, where he produced and engineered the ever popular final halftime show of the season which always included a great pyrotechnic display.
Don also gave his time, energy, and love to many other groups throughout the community. He ran the soundboard for the First Presbyterian Church for many years. He assisted the Northern Michigan Dance Academy with their annual production of The Nutcracker. He was the main “roadie” for local rock band, Stager—providing transportation, helping with setup and repairs, and running lights during their performances.
Don was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend and he fulfilled those responsibilities faithfully and completely.
Don is survived by his wife, Debra Holmes, two sons Casey (Brynn) Holmes and Steven (Marie Orttenburger) Holmes, grandchildren Colin and Ben, sisters Sandy Holmes, Christine Revord, brother Mark (Nanette) Holmes, sisters Jean (Paul) Dedo, Jill (John) MacPherson, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his brother Greg Holmes, brother-in-law Al Revord, and nephew Greg Revord.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 17, 2017, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, Kingsford. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, 12:00 pm at the church. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be held in Breitung Township Cemetery, Quinnesec, Mich. American Legion Uren Cooper Johnson Post #50, Iron Mountain will accord military honors at graveside
A special thank you to all the nurses, doctors, and aides who consistently went above and beyond their duty to see that a good man received only the best care.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Don or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Don’s legacy of life.
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