Rodman Crawford "Rom" Holmes Jr.
Rodman Crawford "Rom" Holmes Jr.
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Rodman Holmes Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Pepper Funeral Home & Cremation Facility, Inc. on Dec. 9, 2025.
Rodman "Rom" Holmes Jr. 88, formerly of Canton, passed away at his home in Hobe Sound FL. during the full moon on December 5, 2025. Rom was surrounded by his beloved family and friends while under the care of hospice.
Rodman Crawford Holmes Jr. was born in Canton, PA on October 8, 1937. He was one of four children of the late Rodman Crawford Sr. and Ethel (Keagle) Holmes. He graduated from Canton Area High School with the class of 1955.
Shortly following graduation, Rom enlisted into the US Army with his lifelong friend, Robert E. Spencer. While in Germany he fell in love with the country. After the military, he returned to Canton and held several jobs before becoming a partner in Canton Building Supply in 1976.
He moved to Hobe Sound, FL in 1985 and subsequently was employed as a gardener on Jupiter Island where he became an Orchardist. Rom cared for and designed many estate gardens and Japanese gardens. His reputation on the island led to many residents requesting his services. He was still employed at one estate at the time of his passing.
Rom was an avid Penn State Nittany Lions fan. He loved life and enjoyed time spent with family and friends at his residence in Lake Wales FL, as well as at the Crawford Kith family cabin in Canton. Rom also loved frequenting and visiting with friends at Al's Place in Lake Wales, FL.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, a son, Rodman III "Bum" (Deb) Holmes, a daughter, Julie (Jay) O'Dell, step-daughter, Michelle (Chris) Rommel, a step-son, Todd Hurd, a granddaughter Brittany (Shawn) Wilson, a grandson, Jake (McKayla) Holmes, step-grandchildren, Tyler Kutz, Maddy (Jacob) (Schucker, Randi Kutz, Cody O'Dell, Ryan O'Dell, Amy Goldman, Mitch Bliss, Cara (Shawn) Galinski, Allison (Larami) Eshnaur, Grace Rommel, Travis Hurd, and Joshua Hurd, step-great grandchildren, Jaxon Kutz, Skyler Schucker, Raelynn Hurd, Andrew, Aubie and Austin Galinski, a loving sister, Kathy (Garry) Baumunk, many special nieces, nephews and cousins, a very special friend, Chris (Bruno) Hurd, lifelong friends, Robert E. (Janie) Spencer, Betty Sechrist, Ann Clark, Bob and LaVonna Clark, as well as his beloved African Grey parrot, Hobie.
Besides his parents, Rom was predeceased by, a sister, Janice (Mike) Dieffenbach, brothers, Norvin "Butch" (Donna) Holmes and Robert "Bob" Holmes, brother-in-law, John Evans, a niece, Janice Baumer, a nephew, Shane Holmes, a great niece, Vayda Bryan, a step-son, Mark (Pat) Hurd, a step-granddaughter, Faith Jacobson and dear friend, Dick Clark.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Al's Place in Lake Wales, FL in January 2026. Also, a private family service will be held on Jupiter Island, FL and a local Celebration of Life will be this summer at the Crawford Kith family cabin on Lake Nepahwin in Canton.
Memories of Rom and condolences to his family may be shared by visiting, www.pepperfuneralhomes.com
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Rodman "Rom" Crawford Holmes, Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Rodman "Rom" Crawford Holmes, Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.
Memorial Donation
Rodman Crawford Holmes Jr. was born in Canton, PA on October 8, 1937. He was one of four children of the late Rodman Crawford Sr. and Ethel (Keagle) Holmes. He graduated from Canton Area High School with the class of 1955.
Shortly following graduation, Rom enlisted into the US Army with his lifelong friend, Robert E. Spencer. While in Germany he fell in love with the country. After the military, he returned to Canton and held several jobs before becoming a partner in Canton Building Supply in 1976.
He moved to Hobe Sound, FL in 1985 and subsequently was employed as a gardener on Jupiter Island where he became an Orchardist. Rom cared for and designed many estate gardens and Japanese gardens. His reputation on the island led to many residents requesting his services. He was still employed at one estate at the time of his passing.
Rom was an avid Penn State Nittany Lions fan. He loved life and enjoyed time spent with family and friends at his residence in Lake Wales FL, as well as at the Crawford Kith family cabin in Canton. Rom also loved frequenting and visiting with friends at Al's Place in Lake Wales, FL.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, a son, Rodman III "Bum" (Deb) Holmes, a daughter, Julie (Jay) O'Dell, step-daughter, Michelle (Chris) Rommel, a step-son, Todd Hurd, a granddaughter Brittany (Shawn) Wilson, a grandson, Jake (McKayla) Holmes, step-grandchildren, Tyler Kutz, Maddy (Jacob) (Schucker, Randi Kutz, Cody O'Dell, Ryan O'Dell, Amy Goldman, Mitch Bliss, Cara (Shawn) Galinski, Allison (Larami) Eshnaur, Grace Rommel, Travis Hurd, and Joshua Hurd, step-great grandchildren, Jaxon Kutz, Skyler Schucker, Raelynn Hurd, Andrew, Aubie and Austin Galinski, a loving sister, Kathy (Garry) Baumunk, many special nieces, nephews and cousins, a very special friend, Chris (Bruno) Hurd, lifelong friends, Robert E. (Janie) Spencer, Betty Sechrist, Ann Clark, Bob and LaVonna Clark, as well as his beloved African Grey parrot, Hobie.
Besides his parents, Rom was predeceased by, a sister, Janice (Mike) Dieffenbach, brothers, Norvin "Butch" (Donna) Holmes and Robert "Bob" Holmes, brother-in-law, John Evans, a niece, Janice Baumer, a nephew, Shane Holmes, a great niece, Vayda Bryan, a step-son, Mark (Pat) Hurd, a step-granddaughter, Faith Jacobson and dear friend, Dick Clark.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Al's Place in Lake Wales, FL in January 2026. Also, a private family service will be held on Jupiter Island, FL and a local Celebration of Life will be this summer at the Crawford Kith family cabin on Lake Nepahwin in Canton.
Memories of Rom and condolences to his family may be shared by visiting, www.pepperfuneralhomes.com
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Rodman "Rom" Crawford Holmes, Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Rodman "Rom" Crawford Holmes, Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Pepper Funeral Home & Cremation Facility, Inc.
578 Springbrook Dr P.O. Box 173, Canton, PA 17724
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