PHILIP HOLMES

1948 - 2022

Phillip Eugene Holmes 1948-2022 Phillip Eugene Holmes, 74, of Clarinda, Iowa, entered into eternal rest on Saturday evening, September 3, 2022, at Clarinda Regional, in Clarinda, Iowa. A celebration of life graveside service with military honors was held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Clarinda Cemetery at Clarinda, Iowa. Memorials are being directed to the family for the American Legion and the Page County Veterans Affairs. Services were entrusted to Nishna Valley Funeral and Cremation Service in Shenandoah. Phillip Eugene Holmes was born March 17, 1948, in Red Oak, Iowa to Lowell L. and Thelma (Barrington) Holmes. He entered into eternal rest on Saturday evening, September 3, 2022, at the Clarinda Regional Health Center, in Clarinda, Iowa. He spent his childhood in Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa, graduating from Clarinda High School with the class of 1966. He met Kathleen in Clarinda, and moved to Council Bluffs, where they had 3 daughters. Through the years he spent time in Colorado and Nebraska moving back to Clarinda to spend his final years. Phillip served 2 tours of duty in Viet Nam in the U.S. Marine Corps, as an MP and an Armed Amphib crewman and crew chief. He received numerous decorations for his service, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/palm, Vietnamese Service Medal w/1*, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/device, Good Conduct Medal, and the Presidential Citation for heroism. "HOLMES HONORED FOR SERVICE Cpl. Phillip Holmes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Holmes, has been recognized with a Meritorious Mast for commendable performance during the early morning hours of December 23, 1968, when he, as the crew chief of LVTH-631, was fired upon by the Viet Cong. "You immediately employed your 105mm howitzer and it was firing on the rocket site in less than one minute," the citation reads. "Directing shifts between rounds you and your crew very effectively covered the rocket site with devastating fire ... Your immediate action undoubtedly saved lives ... " Cpl. Holmes has also been awarded the combat action medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry." He was a "Jack of all trades". He was a master carpet and flooring technician, as well as a tree trimmer. Phillip was a member of the Lied Center in Clarinda and enjoyed shared fellowship with many of the churches in the area. He shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and especially enjoyed serving the poor. He planted and maintained beautiful gardens, was a wonderful cook and super organizer. He loved fishing and camping taking in the beauty of the outdoors. He was preceded by his parents; daughter Sara Holmes; grandson Jonah Holmes; brother Gary Holmes; and significant other Betty Briscoe of Omaha, NE. Left to cherish his memory are, daughters Jenifer (Shane) Reilly of Council Bluffs, IA, and Michelle Holmes of Andover, KS; Grandchildren, Ignacio (Elijah) Palma, Edie O. Holmes, Fisher Bakker and Aden Holmes; brother, Dinnis (Diana) Holmes of Bella Vista, AR; sisters, Patricia (Bob) Warren of Clarinda, IA, and Marie (Jim) Bender of Denver, Colorado; special friend Alicia Gamon of the Philippines, many nephews, nieces, other relatives and a host of friends.