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David Holmes Obituary

HOLMES

DAVID L. HOLMES

Professor David Lynn Holmes, beloved by generations of students during his 46 years at Virginia's College of William & Mary, was intellectual and gregarious, brandishing his wry humor til the end. He died at age 90 in Williamsburg, VA, on April 29, 2023. A nationally recognized church historian, Holmes' numerous books included 2006's highly regarded "Faiths of the Founding Fathers." Born in Detroit on August 28, 1932, to David L. Holmes, longtime athletic director at Wayne State University, and to Hazel Jean Madden Holmes, Holmes was drafted into the Army after graduating from Michigan State. He received his MA from Columbia and doctorate in Religious Studies from Princeton. His wife of 55 years, Carolyn, survives him, as do daughters Henley and Catesby; grandchildren Kai, Nicolas, Nola, and Madden; and nephew Keith Wunderlich. Holmes was "hopeful about death," he said. "I would live as if life continued after death – and I would not be surprised to find that it did." Memorial July 15 at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg. Donations to the David L. Holmes Reformation Studies and American Religious History Endowment (3447) support a professorship at William & Mary. Checks should be made payable to the William & Mary Foundation/Holmes at P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187, or donate online https://impact.wm.edu/holmes.

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Published by The Washington Post on May 14, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for David Holmes

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4 Entries

Patrick Sullivan

May 7, 2024

One year on from Dr. Holmes´ death, I am reminded that, in 2010, he gave the commencement address at Hood College in Frederick MD: https://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2010/prof.-david-holmes-honored-by-hood-college.php . My stepdaughter will be graduating from Hood in a few days. I´m sorry they missed each other.

In his 2010 Hood address, Dr. Holmes´ words conveyed a sense of excitement about college education and of wisdom regarding college´s role in the progression of one´s life - encouraging to excellence while somehow avoiding an elitist tone. As I indicated in my earlier remark, it was a blessing having his class as part of my William and Mary experience (Class of 1974, now 50-year Olde Guarde).

Patrick Sullivan

December 27, 2023

I took Professor Holmes´ History of North American Religions class as a random elective late in my W&M undergrad career. It turned out to be an exemplary course - the best teacher and class I experienced at W&M. If I had discovered him earlier, I might have majored or double-majored in religion (my major was physics). Always interested in his students, he was helpful to me later as well. The College of William and Mary was very fortunate to have him as a professor. My condolences to his family and to the larger community of his former students.

Win Whitehurst '69

May 13, 2023

Such a good friend to the Class of 1969, we were proud to make him an honorary member of our class. He was the best teacher I had at W&M, and I still remember the classes I had from. Deepest co dolences to his family.

Eileen Morgan Johnson Esquire

May 13, 2023

Mr. Holmes was by far my favorite professor and unofficial advisor. I still remember him telling us to drive the backroads of Virginia to find historic churches and other buildings. He will be missed.

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Memorial Events
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Jul

15

Memorial service

Bruton Parish Church

Williamsburg, VA

Funeral services provided by:

Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service

4124 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188

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