Celebrating the Life of George W. Holmes III

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Richmond Times-Dispatch Article

George W. Holmes III, retired educator, dies
He spent 27 years teaching at U.Va. before retiring in 1985

By JEREMY SLAYTON
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

With a long line of family members involved in education, it was a natural fit that Dr. George W. Holmes III pursued a career along the same path.

Dr. Holmes, a professor emeritus at the University of Virginia, spent 27 years in higher education until his retirement in 1985.

"He always loved teaching and education," said a son, Leonard Holmes of Williamsburg.

Dr. Holmes, who served as assistant superintendent of the Roanoke city school system before teaching at U.Va., died Saturday after a long illness at Morningside Assisted Living in Charlottesville. He was 88.

A native of Alamance County, N.C., and a graduate of High Point College, Dr. Holmes served as a Marine Corps officer aboard the USS Saratoga during World War II.

He had the chance to make the military a career but decided to get into teaching. He went on to earn a doctorate from the University of North Carolina.

Dr. Holmes, whose sense of humor often put people at ease, joined U.Va.'s staff as a professor of educational administration in 1958. Some of his students maintained contact with him throughout his life.

Dr. Holmes also served as executive secretary of the Virginia School Boards Association for 25 years.

"He was a mentor, an adviser and a friend to his students," said Frank Barham, a former student and current executive director of the school boards association.

After his retirement from U.Va. in 1985, Dr. Holmes devoted his time to his love of gardening, often growing vegetables for his family. He maintained a connection to education by serving as a consultant to school systems throughout the state.

An avid fan of country and bluegrass music, Dr. Holmes had a collection of hundreds of LP records that he kept well-organized and still listened to, his son said.

In addition to his son, Dr. Holmes' survivors include his wife, Maxine Templeton Holmes; a daughter, Beth Holmes, both of Charlottesville; and two granddaughters.

A funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 101 E. Jefferson St. in Charlottesville. A graveside service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Union Grove United Methodist Church cemetery in Union Grove, N.C.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

I Miss my Dad

It's hectic right now making arrangements, but I miss my Dad. Thanks, Allison, for setting this up. My father was a wonderful man who taught me many lessons about life. I began to mourn him over the past few years as much of that wisdom became less accessible, but I always enjoyed being with him. His sense of humor was present until the day he died and that too had a big impact on my life.

Leonard

USS Saratoga

George W. Holmes, III (February 22, 1919 - December 8, 2007)

Sign Guest Book at Funeral Home Website

George W. Holmes, III, 88, of Charlottesville died peacefully in the company of his wife and daughter after a long illness on December 8, 2007 in Morningside Assisted Living. He was a long-time resident of Charlottesville and Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Holmes was born in Alamance County, NC on February 22, 1919 to George W. Holmes, Jr. and Fannie Thompson Holmes. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Marine Corps Officer on the U.S.S. Saratoga in the Pacific. After the war he returned to college and began a career in Education. He was a graduate of High Point College and earned a PhD Degree from the University of North Carolina. For several years, he served as Assistant Superintendant of the Roanoke City Schools. He was a professor of Educational Administration at the University at Virginia and Executive Secretary of the Virginia School Boards Association for twenty five years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville.

Dr. Holmes is survived by his wife, Maxine Templeton Holmes of Charlottesville; his son, Leonard Holmes and his wife, Susan of Williamsburg; his daughter, Beth Holmes of Charlottesville; and his granddaughters Allison Dorbad and her husband, Rob, of Richmond and Mary Kathleen Holmes of Philadelphia. He was preceded in death by his brothers Wilton, Herbert, and Billy; his sister Doris Webb, and his son Ralph Joseph Holmes. George and Maxine lived most of their life on Stribling Avenue and more recently resided at Morningside Assisted Living.

George loved gardening and spent many hours cultivating vegetables for his family. He loved bluegrass and traditional country music and collected hundreds of LP records. He had a wonderful sense of humor that he maintained until the very end. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 in the First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville with Dr. Harry Kennon officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:00 pm on Monday, December 10, 2007 in the Hill and Wood Funeral Home, Charlottesville. A graveside service and interment will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 14, 2007 in the Union Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Union Grove, NC. The family suggests that any desired memorial contributions be made to the Virginia School Boards Association, 2320 Hunter's Way, Charlottesville, VA 22911, or the George and Mary Holmes Scholarship Fund, 833 Montlieu Avenue, High Point, NC 27262.