Obituary

Ronald Vincent Holmes

Born: 4/6/1931 in Bradley, England
Passed: 4/6/2015 in San Juan Capistrano, California, United States

Ron was born to a working family in the coal transportation and delivery business. As a child, he was small in stature, but developed strength well beyond his size by delivering bags of coal to local residences and businesses. This strength carried on throughout his life and became very useful working with his hands in copper pipe manufacturing, in his own lumber yard, in their grocery store, in his automobile sales lot (where he moved cars around by hand – literally), in the antique business (moving large estate pieces back from auction by himself) and even to control the occasional unruly patron at his wife’s jewelry store aptly named “Edna” in Bilston.

Ron met Edna first when helping her up from a bicycle mishap when she was a little girl, remembering her, years later, when he asked her for a dance. They married young and lived a life together, recently celebrating 60 years of marriage.

Ron loved his wife Edna, son Michael, and daughter Victoria and built a life for them in Wednesfield, England, where they lived in a large English Tudor just down a few blocks from Edna’s parents. He and Edna made sure their children had the best education, sending both to the private and exclusive Royal Wolverhampton School.

Ron was known for his great ability to strike up conversations with people, starting and thriving in various businesses, and his generosity. He also loved adventure — driving across Europe and seeing the world through the windscreen. He didn’t stop as much as his family wanted, but he loved to drive no matter where it took them. He didn’t care much for maps or asking directions. This pursuit landed them in some dicey spots, but made for lasting memories, some fond and some downright scary.

Continuing in the adventurous spirit, Ron moved his family to the United States, where they bought a home in San Juan Capistrano with a view of the Pacific Ocean. From the heights of his hilltop perch, he could see Santa Catalina Island on clear days, but also the I-5 freeway, which he kept watch affectionately known as Gangad Cam.

In California, he raised his family and watched them grow up, but not move far, all staying in Southern California and in close touch.

Ron made quick friends with his knack to strike up conversations, quick whit, love of hardware (Home Base, Home Depot and Lowes) and free paint. Ron also loved to sing, especially Frank Sinatra, and ran Karaoke night at a couple of restaurants nearby his home.

Ron’s son and daughter both married, and he loved their spouses (Lisa and Mark) as if they were his own children. He was perhaps most fond of his grand daughter Emily, whom he adored and fittingly was the last person he was with.

He was very generous and completely honest. You always know what he felt, but it was this solid base that everyone relied on.

Ron was not fearful of death. His honesty and purity of life left him little regrets, except wishing more for others, not himself.

We cannot believe he is gone. Someday, hopefully, the huge hole in our hearts will mend. He will be missed, never forgotten, and ever present, living in each of us every day.

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17 responses to Ronald V. Holmes

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Mark Colby says:

April 12, 2015

Dad was the most honest man I ever knew.

Love you, Mark

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MR R Pumphreyr says:

April 13, 2015

Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time always in our thoughts of happy times and memories that we shared in England and the USA. GODBLESS YOU ALL.
R.I.P RON.
ALL ourLOVE DOT&ROYxxxxx

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Edna Holmes says:

April 20, 2015

We have known each other for over 65 years,you almost come to be one person.
Through the years we have had our ups and downs,getting through them always knowing how much we love each other.
I have too many memories to share, the kind generous.person he was, he was very contented with his life not asking for much, very laid back helping family and friends.
I was the opposite I always wanted jobs doing the day before, he always thought there was always tomorrow why rush through life.
I will carry on without him, I have to,I Have a very big hole in my heart.that will never heal,
May be in time I will laugh and play some of the songs he recorded with his wonderful Franh Siinartra voice,or I will find a quiet little place in the home he loved so much and cry for the man I loved so much who I will miss so dearly
I love you Ronny Vincet Holmes now and for ever. Your little Moana Lot

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Emily Colby says:

April 20, 2015

Ganged,

Words do not begin to describe how much I miss you. Thank you for teaching me the things you have and for sharing your amazing stories. I will of course treasure them forever. I honestly feel like there is a huge part of me missing. I do not believe this hole in my heart will be healed, it will always be there. I keep looking around every corner and listening out, in hopes I will hear your footsteps or a murmur of your voice, as you talk to Bella. I of course do not hear you, but I certainly feel your presence at home. I know ganged I will see you again one day. I honestly look forward to that day. When I grow old, do not think the memories I have had with you will fade, because they won’t. I will always be your granddaughter. Thank you for sharing almost 25 years with me. No distance or time can separate my love I have for you.

I love you very very much ganged.

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Mcheal Holmes says:

April 20, 2015

On the morniing of April 6th,I lost my Dad unexpectedly to a massive heart attack at the age of 84. It was his Birthday. He was a great man, a nice generous and considerate human being. He was my friend and most of all he was my Dad. The thought of never being able to talk to him again leaves me with terrible grief.
Rest in Peace Ronald Holmes. I will love you till the day I die !!!!

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