Danny Holmes

1943 - 2021

Danny Holmes
January 14, 1943 - July 5, 2021
Albany, Oregon
Danny Ross Holmes, 78, of Albany, Oregon, passed away peacefully on July 5th at Evergreen Hospice House, surrounded by family, after a five-year battle with Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia.
He was born to Ross "Bud" and Ruth (Amidan) Holmes, on January 14th, 1943 in Ogden, Utah. After a family move to Northern California, Danny graduated from Cloverdale High School. He then enlisted in the US Army stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and Germany, before returning to San Jose after an honorable military discharge.
He was married to Kathy Leavitt, the love of his life, on November 6, 1965 and together they celebrated 55 wonderful years together. Danny is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Nicole Markel (David), son Dean Holmes (Carrie Hultberg), brothers Jim Holmes (Barbara), Howard Holmes (Birdie), and sister Julia Wing. He is predeceased by his parents Bud Holmes and Ruth Amidan, father-in-law Don Amidan, sisters Suzanne Overton, Sandra Parsons and brother-in-law Leon Parsons, niece Kathy Butler, and brother-in-law Lenny Wing.
Danny experienced a full life in the truest sense of the word. After his military service, he spent twelve years in the San Jose Fire Department, worked in construction throughout his life, and worked a crew installing radio antennas around the Bay Area (his highest included Sutro Tower in San Francisco).
Always a cowboy at heart, Danny would spend his high school summers helping on his grandfather's farm in Utah. Here, he gained his love for horses, rodeos and bull riding where he earned a buckle riding in the San Jose Fire Department rodeo. Danny loved the outdoors, was an avid hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed family road trips across the western states.
After moving to Lebanon, Oregon, Danny became actively involved in the community. He dedicated his life to God, and attended and served as an elder for Southside Church of Christ for 32 years where he also taught youth group and adult Sunday classes. He worked tirelessly overseeing the construction of the new sanctuary and various projects throughout the years. He took several missions trips to Mexico where he assisted in the remodel of an affiliated church.
Danny coached sports for both of his children in their younger years, and along with Kathy, acted in leadership positions for the Wigwam Wiseman supporting athletics for Lebanon High School. As a volunteer, Danny was instrumental in helping to install new football stadium lights.
Danny worked at Hewlett Packard in Corvallis, Oregon for 18 years. He greatly enjoyed his time working in Research & Development supporting engineers on a wide range of projects.
Danny found the greatest joy being a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, mentor and man of God. Danny was loved by many, you couldn't find a better man, he was our hero!
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Mennonite Village, Clare Bridge Memory Care, Visiting Angels, Home Instead, and a special thank you to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice for their exceptional compassion, care and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice.
A celebration of life service will be held on September 24, 2021 at 1:00pm at Gilmour County Garden - 3884 Buena Vista Rd S, Jefferson, OR 97352.
Please visit Danny's memorial web site for more information on the service as well as to share memories with the family: celebratedanny.com


View the online memorial for Danny Holmes