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James Holmes Obituary
On July 24, James William Holmes passed from this earth on to his eternal reward where he rejoins his wife Barbara of 52 years. He was a devoted and caring man who loved his family very much and was very involved with his community and public life.
James was born at St. Joseph's Hospital on June 6,1939 to James J. Holmes and Miriam C. Holmes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended Wauwatosa East High School and went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was a member of the fencing team and where he completed the ROTC program.
Following his graduation in 1962, James was Commissioned a second Lieutenant in the artillery. Stationed in Korea, he served in the regular Army for 13 months, helping keep the uneasy peace there. His 34-year military career continued in the Wisconsin National Guard which culminated in his rise through the ranks to Brigadier General. At that point, he was second in command of Wisconsin's 8000 guardsmen, keeping them ready to serve in times of emergency or military conflict.
In civilian life, James held various management positions in the insurance industry. First at INA and then Cigna, he concluded his career at Image of Wisconsin where he continued to contribute even after his retirement.
James, along with his wife, were avid travelers, visiting California, Florida and New York many times, and managed during his life to visit every state in the USA but two.
James was an avid Packers fan and attended the Ice Bowl in 1967. He was also a lifelong Badgers fan, and he attended numerous Rose Bowls.
James was the proud and loving father to those who survive him, his son Michael Holmes and his wife Marjorie and their children Alexander and Diana, and son Christopher and his significant other Jennifer and their daughter Isabel. He was a fond relative to Sisters- in-law Mary Peeters and her husband Lou and Susan Hamrin and her husband Mike, and numerous other relatives.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held on Saturday August 17, 2024, at ST. THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH 9525 W. Bluemound Rd. Milwaukee WI. 53226 from 12:30 PM until the time of Service at 2:00PM.
Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family Milw. 262-827-0659 Wauk. 262-549-0659 Online Obit, Condolences< Directions www. churchandchapel.com
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Gregory Kurt Glassner
August 10, 2024
Cousin Jim Holmes
Jim Holmes´ mother, Miriam, and my mother, Kathryn, were sisters. Cousin Jimmy was more than five years older than me and my sister Wendy more than seven years younger than me, so we three cousins were not exactly playmates, even when we got together at Christmas and on other family occasions. I did benefit from some of Cousin Jimmy´s toys when he outgrew them, including a puppet and Uncle Jim´s World War II helmet. Uncle Jim had served as an Army Chaplain.
Growing up, I was told to emulate my more responsible Cousin Jimmy when it came to academic excellence, athleticism and citizenship, but I was more impressed with his Joan Baez and Harry Belafonte record albums and the fact that he owned a British Elva Courier sports car. I still love folk music and cars.
We lived in Bayside when I was in high school. After I got my drivers´ license I drove over to Brookfield a couple of times that summer to mow the lawn for Aunt Miriam. This was after Uncle Jim had passed and Jimmy was away, probably, like his dad, serving as an Army officer overseas. We had that much in common. A few years later I was an Army officer in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Unlike my cousin, I did not possess the good sense to continue in the reserves. I know that Christopher and Michael are proud of their Dad attaining the rank of Brigadier General.
Before my senior year in high school, we moved to Pennsylvania and I pretty much lost touch with Wisconsin and my cousin. Family news came through Aunt Miriam to my mom, until they passed on. After that it was Christmas cards and holiday phone calls. I saw Mike and Chris grow up through photos of them posed on the stairs of Jim and Barb´s home and still later, the grandchildren on the same stairway. After Barb passed away, those cards stopped. More recently, Jim and I had a few long and very pleasant phone conversations after I asked him to confirm or correct my faded memories of Grandma and Grandpa Wallace and Uncle Jim and Aunt Miriam. My sister Wendy joined in some of these conversations through speaker phone.
I know that those of you who read this as you mourn the passing of James Holmes and celebrate a life well lived will have far more current memories to share. We only recently reconnected after far too long a separation. But I will miss him and hearing his voice, which always reminded me of Wisconsin.
- Cousin Greg Glassner
Caroline County, Virginia.
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