Robert Holmes and Kathryn Shannon Holmes Sr

Age 88, a resident of Albuquerque since 1964, died Sunday, October 7, 2012 from Alzheimer's complications. Robert was born on March 19, 1924 in Bogalusa, LA to Jasper and Lilian Holmes. He grew up in Jackson, MS where he worked in a grocery store as a bagger from age 12 to 15, and as a paperboy from age 15 until he was 18. Upon graduation from Jackson High School in 1942, Robert was accepted into the Navy Aviator program, received his "Wings", and became a formation flight instructor at Pensacola, FL. During a church social in 1943, he met Kathryn Shannon, a nursing student at Millsaps College and they were married in 1944. Near the end of the war, he was assigned to "Fighting 71" on the USS Antietam (CV-36) as a Hellcat Fighter pilot. The war ended before he saw combat. He attended Ole Miss University and earned a degree in Physics in 1950. From 1964 through 1973, Robert was on the Sandia Peak Ski Patrol and was the Ski Patrol Leader for one year. Robert was a career Navy officer and retired as a Commander in 1971. Upon retirement, he started Tech Reps, Inc. with his partner, Don Tiano. He retired from Tech Reps in 1990 and spent the next 20 years traveling and skiing with his wife, Kathryn, until he was 84. Robert is survived by two children, Robert, Jr. and Shannon Ingwell; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Holmes and daughter, Mary Kay Filmon. Robert was a great man in the Greatest Generation and will be missed by all who knew him. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Robert, as well as for his wife Kathryn, will be held on Sunday. October 28, 2012 at 2:00 pm at French-Lomas Chapel. Private services will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.