James Hardy Holmes
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James Hardy Holmes, 89, of Silsbee, Texas passed away on January 16, 2021, in Beaumont, Tx.
Funeral services were held on Friday, January 22, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home, Beaumont, Tx. Pastor Winston Kibbles was the Officiator of the services.
James Hardy Holmes, affectionally known as "JH" was born September 17, 1931, in Longview, Texas, to the late Ollie Holmes, Sr. and Lucille (Smith) Holmes. From this union, James was the eldest son.
James graduated from Longview Colored High School in 1947, and furthered his education at Bishop College. Upon completion in 1951, he received a Bachelors in History with a minor in Architecture. In 1952, James was drafted during the Korean War and proudly served his country in the United States Army. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1954, he moved and resided in Silsbee, Texas. At this time, James started his 52-year long career as a railroad conductor and brakeman for the Santa Fe Railroad. He became a life member of the United Transportation Union (UTU).
James Hardy was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. He was a devoted Son, Brother, and Uncle, that will be dearly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Lucille Holmes; brother, Ollie Holmes, Jr.; and nephew, Frederick Holmes.
He is survived by his brother, Sidney Holmes, Sr. of Silsbee; nieces, Karen Taylor, Terri Kibbles (Winston), and Leslie Dodis; nephews, Keith Holmes (Delores), and Sidney Holmes, Jr. (Deshauna); and a host of great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.