Larry Eugene Holmes

Larry Eugene Holmes passed away at the age of 88 at Des Moines VA in the Hospice Wing on February 1, 2026.

Son of Vernon and Frances Holmes (Sprague), Larry was born 12/27/1937 in Jefferson, Iowa. Larry was raised on a farm outside of Panora and then Bagley, Iowa. Larry graduated from Bagley High School in 1955. While in school, Larry participated in 4H, Glee club, and played trumpet in the band.

After graduating, Larry attended Iowa State University for two semesters before entering the Navy in 1956. While in the Navy, he was stationed at many bases in the U.S. and then deployed to Japan.

In 1957, Larry married Karen Bullock (Sisco), from Bagley, IA. Larry and Karen had two children: Rick, born in Kingsville, TX (1958), and Kevin, born in Carroll, IA (1969). Larry and Karen remained married until 1977.

Larry came back to the Iowa family farm after being honorably discharged as an AD2 in 1960. After leaving the Navy, Larry spent the next decade farming and working at poultry farms near his farm. In 1971, the family moved to Lenox, IA, where he managed a poultry farm. In 1975, Larry shifted to a career in sales with Trail King Trailers in Mitchell, SD.

In 1978, Larry married Sandy Beltz from Indianola, IA and the two moved back to Des Moines, IA and remained married until 1993. Larry worked in Des Moines, IA for Landoll Trailers until he retired.

Larry had a passion for watching his favorite sports teams: Iowa, Iowa State, the Chicago Cubs, and the Indiana Fever. He was also a season ticket holder for the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team for many years.

He got the most enjoyment out of firing up his grill and smoker and cooking for friends and family. He was known for throwing an extra slab of ribs on the smoker and delivering them to those who were not able to attend one of his gatherings. These gatherings usually concluded with Larry's infamous homemade vanilla ice cream.

Larry is preceded in death by parents Vernon and Frances Holmes, sister Roxanne Holmes, and brother Rodney (Luanne) Holmes.

Larry is survived by his brother Gary (Connie) Holmes, his sons Rick (Tracy) Holmes and Kevin (Collette) Holmes, grandchildren Jodie (Matt) Almaguer of Nashville TN, Joel Mevis of Nashville TN, Tiffany Holmes of Mobile AL, Payton Holmes of Des Moines IA, and Mackenzie (Hadyn) DeLeeuw of Des Moines IA, nephews Scott Holmes of Salt Lake City UT, Mike Holmes of Kansas City KS, nieces Kari (Holmes) Thomas of Gilbert AZ, and Geni Holmes of Washington D.C., along with 5 great grandchildren.

Services for Larry will be Feb 20 th at 2PM at the VA Cemetery in Adel, IA. Family and friends will gather in a casual setting to pay tribute surrounded by loved ones.

The Holmes family extends our love and gratitude with all the doctors and nurses who helped comfort Larry in his last days at the VA Hospital, and especially the nurses in the Hospice Wing. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask making a donation in Larry's name to the VA Hospital.