John David Holmes' Obituary
John David Holmes, 57, passed away to be with our Heavenly Father at 8:36PM on October 14, 2021. He was born on October 24, 1963 to James Milton “Milt” Holmes and Mary LaVerne McIntyre of Prescott, KS, but moved to Pittsburg, KS when John was two years old. He was the middle child of three with an older sister, Marilyn, and a younger sister Carolyn. John grew up attending Pittsburg schools including Washington Grade School, Lakeside Junior High, and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1982. John had several hobbies including being an avid hunter and fisherman, particularly with the Natalini boys. He was an exceptional athlete and participated in football, baseball, basketball and track and field (in Junior High School).
At the age of 15, he first laid his eyes on the love of his life, Joanna Lynn Lucas of Pittsburg, KS. Three years his senior, Joanna was working at a local gas station that John would frequently visit and politely flirt with her. Joanna was intrigued by the younger, confident goofball that he was, stating that the first words he said to her were “How about a kiss?” Joanna would continue to dismiss his advances for two years, but John was persistent and finally convinced her to go on a date with him and the rest is history; they were married on June 15, 1984 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Pittsburg. Around the same time, John graduated Pittsburg State University with an associate degree in electrical technology.
As an electrician, John worked for Seward and Wilson Electric from 1984-1991 and Vinyl Plex from 1991-1995. From 1995-2011, he worked for Farmland, later to become Potash Corporation, in Joplin, MO. It was while working for Potash that he would find his career calling as a safety supervisor, being chosen above his peers to attend training and attain all proper certifications in order to manage and enforce a thorough safety program for the company. John would continue to work and excel in this career field with Enerfab in Paducah, KY beginning in 2014 and then with his most recent company, Timken, in Fort Scott, KS beginning in July 2021. Throughout his life, John was always known by his co-workers and his family/friends as the man who would never miss a day of work. As with every aspect of his life, John was thoroughly dedicated to every organization in which he was employed.
John and his wife Joanna have three children. On January 31, 1987, they welcomed their first son Brodie, followed by their second son Keegan born August 13, 1988. Their little family would be complete with the birth of their daughter Paige on September 24, 1990. John was fully committed and passionate in every aspect of his life, especially when it came to being a husband and father. His children always came first, and he always made time for them. Even after a full 10-hour day of strenuous physical work, John never hesitated to immediately grab the catcher’s mitt and allow his two boys to pitch to him, throw the football around or quickly grab all three of his kids and take them on an evening fishing trip. He would continue these same hobbies and traditions with his granddaughter Presley Monroe Holmes when she was born on September 16, 2015 to his eldest son Brodie and his wife Joy Leek Holmes. Presley unconditionally loved her Grandpa John and would always want to sit with him in his chair because Grandpa was the only one willing to watch her shows with her no matter what. Just like with his own children, John was a very dedicated grandfather, always wanting to attend T-Ball games and dance recitals.
John will forever be known as one of the most genuine, big hearted people to grace this earth. Everyone who met him would always consider John a friend. No matter what, John would go out of his way to help anyone with anything, at any time. He enjoyed making people laugh and ensuring everyone in the room felt welcome. He truly embraced every moment he had on this earth and never took anything for granted. He will be missed by everyone that ever had the privilege of having him in their lives. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary, his father James, and his stepfather Harold “Judge” Morrell. He is survived by his wife Joanna of Pittsburg, his three children Brodie, Keegan and wife Logan Holmes of Independence, KS and Paige of Pittsburg, his sisters Marilyn Hodgson of Brandon, FL, Carolyn Johnson of Liberal, MO, and his granddaughter Presley of Pittsburg, KS.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM, Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Our lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Bob McElwee as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery.
The parish rosary will be recited at 6 pm, Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg. The family will receive friends following the rosary.
Memorials may be left to the S.E.K Humane Society.
Friends may drop off or mail memorials to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. E-mail condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements are by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
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