James Roy Holmes I

Friday, January 27, 1950, during fog and freezing drizzle, Simmie, Sr. and Mahalia (Shead)
Holmes welcomed their 7th child and third born son, James Roy Holmes, I.
James united with Oakhill Missionary Baptist in South Dallas during his youth and confirmed his
prayer relationship with Christ just weeks before his homegoing. He received his formal
education within the Dallas Independent School District spending his last high school years at
Crozier Tech High School and ultimately graduating from James Madison High school.
Understanding the importance of not just being a man, but being a responsible man, early in life
James was always employed in one field or another. However, he came to determine that it was
necessary to choose a profitable field of study to move forward in his career. To this end was
"born" James Holmes, THE HVAC Professional. In addition to owning his own HVAC
company, he also worked numerous years for MIINC Mechanical and Encompass Mechanical.
During his extensive career in the HVAC industry, James worked on major building construction
projects at Texas Instruments and on the set of Walker, Texas Ranger rubbing elbows with actor,
Chuck Norris. He often performed side HVAC jobs for family members, friends, neighbors,
churches and many others in need of service, compassionately performed at a discounted or pro
bono rate. Due to basketball knee injuries from his younger years and working in cramped
HVAC spaces, James' knees had deteriorated to bone on bone, eventually forcing him into
disability retirement.

In May 1995 James met the love of his life, the former Dezella (Dee) Pullum. They would go
on to marry on Friday, August 16, 2002. It was through this matrimonial union that they would
aid and assist in the rearing and upbringing of his grandson as if he were their very own son.
Always willing to help others in need, James was home repairman, mechanic, plumber,
electrician, babysitter to his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces
and nephews, cousins and even fulltime, in-home caregiver to his sister and late stepmother-in-
law (Bonnie Pullum).

After reviewing James' life journey of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, heart celebrations and
heartbreaks, on Monday, January 26th, exactly one day shy of his anticipated 76th birthday, the
Lord in His infinite wisdom declared that enough was enough and called James to a life of no
more knee pain, disappointments and earthly woes. Preceding his call were his parents; two
brothers, Charles Holmes and Claude Holmes; one sister, Edna Holmes; one son, Gabriel
Saunders, Sr.; nephew, David Holmes, Jr; great nephew, Christian Holmes and brother-in-law,
Terry Bennett.

Continuing the laughter and celebrating the legacy of James' colorful anecdotes, antics, facial
expressions and gestures are his loving and faithful wife, Dezella; dedicated grandson, Gabriel
Saunders, Jr.; appreciative bonus daughter and son-in-law, La'Ron and Maurice Dozier;
daughter-in-law, NeCobra Saunders (Montray Hogan); sons, James (JJ) Holmes, II and Xavier
(Bucky) Garrett, Sr.; daughters, Rossetta (Shawn) Chaney and Kiesty Holmes; brothers, Simmie
Holmes, Jr., Ricky Holmes, Sr. (Karen) and David Holmes, Sr.; sisters, Alice Holmes, Bobbie
Bennett, Helen Kizzee (Michael), Linda Jacobs (Chester) and Barbara Holmes; grandchildren; great grandchildren; devoted nephew, Terrance Bennett; nieces and nephews, special family friend, Mrs. Madie Martin and a host of cousins, friends and neighbors.

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