Ronald V. Holmes

Ronald V. Holmes

April 06, 1931 - April 06, 2015

Ronald V. Holmes

April 06, 1931 - April 06, 2015

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

  1. Word’s can not hope to describe the wonderful memories that Betty and I had from knowing Ron for these many years. The many projects that we did at Sharon’s home. Inside and outside stairs, an underground gasline repair and much needed advice on how to do something from the guy who knew how to tangle almost any job.Ron and Edna’s generosity as he tried to clean out the garage which meant that we came back home with furniture,rugs, brass works,a wood turning lathe,a small horse from a carousel and so much more.If you walk through our home every room has a wonderful example of Ron and Edna’s generosity As I sit here and try to recapture memories, I look down at the 400ft oak floor that Ron helped me lay many years ago.At times I will sing a song while driving that Ron and did a duet on.. Everyday I can recall a time that would bring a belly laugh from us while working on another project.The time will come so we can sing another duet or tackle another job.Our profound love and prayers to the entire Holmes family . Jack and Betty Cheever and family

  2. Edna Holmes says:

    Ron I realize that I have lost you but I go through our house feeling you looking over my shoulder wondering what I am doing,you always said you cannot find a thing if I have been there,I sort through you tools.wondering how a man can have so many of one item.
    Of course I know, you grew up in a time that you didn’t believe in throw away,so all our married years I have been trying to get rid of some,BUT you always knew what I had been doing. (And said I can’t find a thing)
    If I could have my beloved Ronny Holmes back,I would put up with having ten hammers 10 spanners and a million box’s of.screws, not to mention all the wood you would not throw out.
    I miss you every day and I always will,
    You were a good husband and Father I love you with all my heart and wish you were with us,
    I miss so many things,like do you want a cup of tea when I wake in the morning,and lots of small not important things,I realize now how important they were.)
    I did my best for you Ron to take care of you we had a good life together even if I didn’t always get my own way, (thank goodness)
    With our ups and downs through sixty years of married life we loved each other,

    I just wish we could have been together. A little longer
    Love you for ever and will carry you in my heart were ever I go.

    Your heat broken wife Edna

  3. Edna Holmes says:

    Your heart broken wife Edna

  4. Ron ,we will miss you,when ever you visited Sheila in England you’d would help us,I was just the neighbour next door and nothing was too much trouble to help two ladies who lived on there own,you were a good man generious in every way.Your friend Rosina

  5. Vera Round says:

    My brother Ron was a little boy when we lost our Mother,she asked me to look after him which I did,
    We shared a lot of memories together,when I visited him in America I loved to get up early with him (both early rises) sit on the couch and talk about old times,
    Maybe we didn’t always get the story right but who cares they were our memories from a 91 year old and an 84 year old.
    Even when we were apart I always loved the little boy who I looked after,who became a good generious man,
    I will miss the phone calls from my dear brother I Will always love you Vera

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