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Carl F. Holmes Sr., beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on April 20, 2024 at the age of 87, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Carl was born Nov.14,1936, in Athens, Alabama. After a very difficult childhood, he traveled to Michigan at fifteen years old with a friend and remained there until 1976. He graduated from Niles High School at 17 and went to work at Continental Can Company, working his way up from janitor to the head of the computer department. Carl met and married the love of his life, Sharon, and started a family right away. During his life in Centreville, he was very much involved with his family and community. He served as a Boy Scout Master, Village Councilman, Volunteer Fireman, and was a foster father for over twenty foster children.
After being transferred by Continental Can to Mount Vernon, OH, Carl joined the Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department and later, College Township Fire Department, where he became Captain. In total, he served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for 43 years. He got his pilot license in 1982 and was able to fly Sharon to Indiana for the birth of their grandsons. Carl served as president on the board at Apple Valley, and was president of the Apple Valley Fish Club and Lake Committee. He was one of the recipients of The Red Cross Community Hero Award in 2012. After retiring from American National Can, he worked part time for his close friend, Gail Stenger, at Mount Vernon Machine and Tool and served on the safety council there.
Although Carl was a true “computer nerd,” he also loved the outdoors. He looked forward to deer hunting with his best friends in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan every November and later in life he ventured to Canada several times to fish with his “young Ohio friends.” He loved boating and fishing on Apple Valley Lake with friends and family and enjoyed taking Sharon to car shows in his 1965 Mustang Convertible. The couple taught country line dancing for many years in Apple Valley and Carl was quite the dancer! He was a lover of country music and mechanical gadgets but was especially known for his kindness and modesty. He was a hero to his family and was given the nickname “Papa Tiger” by his grandchildren.
During his lifetime, Carl and Sharon were able to travel and enjoy many exciting destinations, both in the U.S. and around the world. They loved playing cards with friends, going to concerts and attending South Vernon Methodist Church. He stayed active even when he was not himself, walking at Foundation Park admiring the turtles and an occasional eagle.
Carl is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sharon; son Carl (Bud) Holmes Jr. of Indianapolis; daughter, Shari (Randy) Baugher of Mount Vernon; son Stacy (Stefanie) Holmes of Newark, OH; grandchildren Tyler (Ashley) Holmes, Haley (Lucas) Staten, Colin (Samantha) Holmes, Matt Baugher and Abbey Holmes; great grandchildren Liam Holmes, Kinsleigh Holmes, Zander Holmes and Naomi Staten; four step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.
Carl will happily join his family in heaven; father Arnold Holmes, mother, Erene Holmes, sisters Patty and Marty and infant daughter, Sonya Holmes. Also his beloved in-laws, Don and Kathleen Tesman and his brother-in-law and best friend, Ron Hochstetler.
Sharon and Shari wish to give a special thank you to the Ohio Eastern Star Home, especially the Iris staff, for making Carl feel so comfortable during his stay and caring for him like family. Thank you also to the amazing staff at Capital City Hospice for their compassion and guidance.
A Celebration of life will be held at 12:00 PM Sat. August 24th, 2024 at Centreville United Methodist Church to share stories of love and happiness. Social time and lunch following service.
Private burial will be held in Michigan at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to The Knox County Foundation Scholarship Fund, 101 E. Gambier St., Mt. Vernon, OH, 43050.
To sign Carl’s on line guest book and leave a message for the family visit www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
