Harold Holmes (2014)

HOLMES, CHILDERS, ELWANGER, HENDERSON, SAVAGE

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 2/24/2014 at 22:31:45

Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
February 22, 2014

Harold Holmes, Johnston

Harold Holmes, 100, passed away February 19, 2014 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.

Harold was born in Truro, Iowa on March 29, 1913 to Earl and Florence Holmes. His father was a grocer and restaurant operator and his mother was a homemaker in Truro, where Harold grew up and graduated from high school.

Harold attended Simpson College, where he succeeded in joining the basketball team as a 5'4" player. He returned to Truro during the depression to help with the family business. Harold later moved to Des Moines and graduated from Capital City Commercial College before beginning his thirty-seven year career with the Des Moines Register. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served in the South Pacific until his discharge in 1946.

For most of his adult years, Harold was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He enjoyed sports, particularly baseball, gardening, spending time with his family and many friends and treasured his travel experiences. He will be remembered for his steady and predictable outlook on life and the passionate desire he had to meet the next day.

Harold married Virginia Childers and for 74 years they lived in the Des Moines area. Virginia passed away in January 2012. Surviving Harold are son, David (Judy); granddaughters, Melinda (James) Ellwanger and Carrie (Jason) Henderson; great-granddaughter, Zoe Henderson; great-grandsons, Jess Ellwanger and Fischer Henderson; step-granddaughter, Suzanne (Neil) Savage; step-great-granddaughter, Caitlin Savage; step-great-grandson, Fraser Savage; and many other beloved family members and friends, including Dr. Ann Dew.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22, 2014, at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. The family will greet friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.

For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church.