Lewis F. Holmes

Date of Death: July 9, 2014

Lewis Finley Holmes

January 5, 1938 ~ July 9, 2014

We lost Big Lew on July 9 as he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Columbus, Ohio the fifth of six children to Harry Keith Holmes and Jennie Mae Wilson (Holmes).

Mr. Holmes joined the Ohio National Guard at the age of 15 and then enlisted into the Regular Army, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant while serving with the 82^nd Airborne Division, 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He retired from his civilian career after 38 years with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (Chessie Computer Service, CSX).

A larger than life personality throughout his 76 years, Mr. Holmes turned difficult childhood circumstances and the positive influences he received from The Sunshine Recreational Center in Columbus (several Ohio State University athletes would assist in mentoring local youth) into a personal crusade to ensure that his community could provide all young people an opportunity to participate in athletics. After transferring to Baltimore, Big Lew settled his family into Ferndale where he would become a force in youth sports for four decades. He served as President of the Linthicum Ferndale Youth Athletic Association, Regional Director of the Continental Amateur Baseball Association, Regional Director of Pony Baseball, Tournament Director for the LFYAA Baseball and Basketball Tournaments and Tournament Director for Sectional and Regional Pony Baseball Tournaments. He founded the Ann Arundel Amateur Baseball Association, the LFYAA girls basketball program and the LFYAA soccer program. Mr. Holmes was voted Maryland State Baseball Coaches Association Man of the Year in 1988 and elected into the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

Mr. Holmes is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Sondra Mae Linn (Holmes); grandparents, Charles Fay Holmes, Ina Belle Williams (Holmes), Clinton Emmit Wilson, Lewis Finley Remy and Maude Frances Arganbright (Remy); his parents, Harry and Jennie Mae Holmes; siblings, Charles Holmes, Harry (Bo) Holmes, Gwendolyn Frances Holmes and Paul Holmes. He is survived by his brother, Robert Lee Holmes, His sons, Robert Lewis Holmes (Marilyn), Richard William Holmes (Kelly) and John Fitzgerald Holmes (Laurie); his grandchildren, William, Robert, Carter, Nicklaus, Emily, Joshua and Michael. Also by many nephews and nieces.

Big Lew or Papa Lewie, as he has come to be known, was the most selfless and generous man you could hope to meet. His love of Big Band Music will continue to pay in our hearts and he will be truly missed.

Funeral services and interment will be held at a later date in Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Senior Activities Center, 1001 East Cork Street, Winchester, Virginia, 22601 or Linthicum Ferndale Youth Athletic Association P.O. Box 37, Linthicum, Maryland, 21090.

Local arrangements are being handled by Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, Winchester, Virginia.

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Lewis Finley Holmes January 5, 1938 ~ July 9, 2014 We lost Big Lew on July 9 as he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Columbus, Ohio the fifth of six children to Harry Keith Holmes and Jennie Mae Wilson (Holmes). Mr. Holmes joined the OhioContinue Reading

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Lou was and will continue to be missed from our neighborhood (Amherst Street). He always had a smile and good cheer to share with us . He and Sandy made us feel so "at home"when we moved to Winchester. We celebrate his life - a loving husband, father and grandfather and friend to many. Our thoughts and prayer are with you all.

A class I teach about aging spent a lot of time at the Winchester Active Living Center, and Lewis was one of our favorites there. He was always eager to get to know our students and spend time with them. Two of our students were his partners for a project this past spring, and wrote him touching letters I'd be happy to ask them to share with the family. Please email me at sking4@su.edu if you would like them.

Lew was a big supporter of our music (The Happy Times Musical Review) at the Winchester Senior Center. He even helped bring in and take out our sound equipment when we entertained twice a month at the Active Living Center. Connie and I will sincerely miss Big Lew. Out love and prayers go out to all of the Holmes family.

Connie and I sang several songs today as a tribute to Lew. We knew how he like Big Band music so we did "Sentimental Journey" and Frank Sinatra's "My Way". We also had everyone at the Winchester Senior Center sing along to the traditional southern gospel song "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" in honor of Lew.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.