John Ernest Holmes III

I will never forget you, my friend. Rest in Peace.

I will never forget you, my friend.

John & I were brought together in our disapproval of House Speaker Tim Moore. He invited me to the group he had formed, the 'Charlotte Urbanists'; an incredible community of activists that has made me a better person. John and I have had many great discussions about policy and politics over the last few years. Most of all, John touched me with his smile, enthusiasm, optimism, and the actions that followed his words. His advocacy has made Mecklenburg County a better place to live for all its residents, he is dearly missed.

I was on the faculty of the Master of Public Administration program at UNC Charlotte, and was on the committee that made the very wise decision to admit John to our program. John proved to be a model student and outstanding individual, lifting everyone around him with his intelligence, good humor, and commitment to public service. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

My first memory of John:

I went to elementary, middle, and high school with John. We weren't in the same classes or social circles, so I didn't really connect with him until after we both moved to Charlotte. My earliest memories of him are of a little boy in a dinosaur or Star Wars Jedi costume at school. His mom clearly refused to stifle his uniqueness and his joy, and it sure was funny to see him dressed up as a dinosaur during recess. He never changed, and we were all better for it.