Richard Holmes

Richard Holmes

Knoxville, TN

Richard Arthur Holmes, Jr. (aka Rick), born in Knoxville, Tennessee on April 21, 1936 to Clara Sams-Holmes and Richard Arthurs Holmes, Sr. He grew up with his sister Eleanor Sylvia and received his early education in Knoxville. Richard served in the United States Navy and then moved to Los Angeles, California where he was employed at the US Postal Service, while attending Don Martin School of Broadcasting. He was a member of Holman Methodist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. James Lawson, Jr., a pastor and civil rights activist. After graduating from Don Martin he began his professional radio career at KBCA Radio 105.1 FM, in Los Angeles, a Mount Wilson Broadcasting Jazz station owned by Saul Levine. His show became very popular and was coined "Rick's Affair," with his theme song "Poinciana," an arrangement by Ahmad Jamal. This resonated with many listeners in the evening time slot. As was his style, he closed his show with quotes and poetry by Orson Welles. Richard was employed at KBCA from 1967 until 1976. In 1970 he married Ellinore Harris and from this union in 1975 he received the greatest joy of his life, the birth of his daughter Clarissa Amber Holmes. Based on these events, he changed the name of his show to "Rick's Family Affair." Richard furthered his career in broadcasting at KJLH 103.2 FM owned by the great Stevie Wonder, in another evening time slot as "Holmes in your Home." He continued to educate his listening audience about the music genre of Jazz and the exemplary talents of Jazz musicians. One of the banner ads on his show was the adorable voice of his daughter, Amber, who at four years old sang the Radio station jingle with so much bravado that many were impressed and overjoyed. He received many phone calls to play her version of the station song. Rick was a radio personality, Master of Ceremonies, an Actor, and a spoken word recording artist. He worked with Ruth Dolphin at Dolphins of Hollywood, and Dooto's Records in South Central Los Angeles. After leaving KJLH, Richard returned to Knoxville to spend time with his beloved mother. There he became a member of the Payne Avenue Church, in which he served in many capacities. He married again and settled down to enjoy his wife and family.

Rick was preceded in death by his wife Tiny; parents, Richard and Clara Holmes; stepfather, Hubert Rucker; sister, Eleanor Holmes Jones and nephew, Timothy Lee Jones. Richard Arthur Holmes, Jr. leaves to cherish his memory; his daughter, Clarissa Garrett of Los Angeles, California; brother-in-law, Thomas Jones of Chicago, Illinois; nephews, Thomas Jones, Jr. and Gregory Jones of Chicago, Illinois, Angela Jones, San Francisco, California and a host of cousins, great nieces, nephews and many close friends.

Family will receive friends, 1:00-1:30 p.m., Saturday at Payne Avenue Baptist Church; celebration of life, 1:30 p.m., Rev. Richard S. Brown, officiating. Arrangements by Jarnigan & Son Mortury. www.jarnigansmortuary.com