STANLEY C. HOLMES

February 1, 1959 - February 28, 2011

Stanley C. Holmes passed away peacefully on Feb. 28, 2011 at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, CA. His loving family was at his side. He was 52. He was born February 1, 1959 in Dos Palos, California the son of Bill and Valeta (Carrell) Holmes.

Stanley was reared in Dos Palos, California where he attended the local schools. His love of baseball began in little league in El Nido, CA. A naturally athletic child, Stanley played baseball and football all during his school years. When in high school he was offered a full ride football and baseball scholarship to college. Stanley accepted the baseball scholarship and was off to Arizona State University to play as a "Sun Devil". In his senior year at the 1981 College World Series, where ASU won its fifth championship, Stanley was voted National MVP. His plaque is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. That same year, Stanley was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of the major league draft. Throughout his baseball career, Stanley played for the Seattle Mariners, Visalia Oaks, California Angels and various other teams. He remained good friends with many of the players until his passing. He retired from baseball in 1988 and returned to the Dos Palos area to be near his beloved mother and dear family.

Stan had been employed by the Central California Irrigation District as a Canal Tender for 17 years. It was a job that Stanley genuinely loved. It allowed him to be outdoors and to appreciate nature. He remained an employee with CCID until his death. He was a member of the local Church of Christ. He was quite passionate about fishing; deep sea, lake and canal, and going to the horse races. He was a nature lover who once loved hunting, but gave it up when he realized the damage that it does to the eco-system and the viability of the species being hunted.

Stanley's family remembers him as a truly "good guy", who had no enemies. He believed in forgiveness. No matter what the offense, Stanley believed that one should forgive the other. He was endeared to his mother and had the utmost love and respect for her. He loved life. He loved to laugh and to be happy and to make others that way. Stanley had many friends. He was not too proud to tell his friends; male and female alike that he loved them. Stanley's love for Karen Spain, his long time girlfriend was eternalized when they married Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 in Fresno, CA. Stanley will be dearly missed by his friends and family.

Stan was preceded in death by his father, Bill Holmes in 1993 and a nephew, Daniel Dolen.

He is survived by his wife Karen Spain-Holmes of Dos Palos, CA. His mother and step father Valeta and Jack Catoe of Merced, CA. Two brothers: Larry Holmes and Steven Holmes both of McAlester, OK. One sister: Dianne Holmes of Firebaugh, CA. Three step brothers: Dan Catoe of Merced, CA, James Catoe of England, AR and Larry Catoe of Kershaw, SC. Two special nieces: Sharla and her husband Freddie Diaz of Los Banos, CA and Doris Holmes of Firebaugh, CA. The Spain Family and many dear aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 7, 2011 at 11:30 A.M. at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel of Dos Palos. Minister Kurt Walker will officiate. Burial will follow in the Dos Palos District Cemetery.