Dones Holmes

April 24, 1932 - December 30, 2020

Dones Holmes was born in Winnfield, Louisiana on April 24.1932 to Bertha McCain and Richard Holmes. He was the youngest of 2 sons. His older brother, Robert Ford, preceded him in death in 1984. In 1945, he moved to Detroit, Michigan with his mother. Dones completed his grade school education in the Detroit Public Schools and in which he graduated from Northwestern High School in 1950. Dones was known as a serious-minded and business oriented young man. He always displayed a very disciplined demeaner which defined the kind of person he was throughout his life. Even though he chose not to be very social, he loved his family and grew to become the consummate provider. On November 25, 1950, he married, Billie Jeans Grimes. They had one son, Richard Keith Holmes in 1952.   Dones joined the army where he found his niche. He remained an active as well as a civilian member throughout his working career. Later, he joined the Army Reserve unit where he earned the rank of Sergeant. He traveled extensively throughout his military career.  In 1954, while stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he met Betsy Dawkins. They married 7 years later on June 3, 1961 in her hometown of Alexandria, Virginia. After their union, he and his bride moved and settled in Detroit, Michigan. In March of 1963, they had a daughter, Gail. In December of 1966, they had a son, Eric.  His lifetime career was at TACOM: United States Army-Tank Automotive and Command. In addition, as part of the Army and Navy Reserves, he accepted many assignments that stationed him in various parts of the United States to provide additional financial support for his young family. He was very dedicated to the military which remained the staple of his career until he retired in 1988. He loved to travel all his life. Retirement gave him the time and the opportunity for him and Betsy to visit many areas of the United States and abroad.  In July of 1973, Dones became a grandfather from his oldest son, Richard. Richard and his wife Kathy were in college at the time and needed some assistance with his grandson, Keith. Dones and Betsy graciously accepted the opportunity and pleasure of providing support and taking care of young Keith for a period of time. Years later, Richard and Kathy, had 2 more children, Seneca and Christiane. Dones was lovingly known to his grandchildren as Zeke. He willingly fulfilled his purpose of providing and taking care of his family and he was ever-present. He was very active and involved in his grandchildren’s lives from babysitting, providing transportation and various other ways of providing support. This was a role that he truly enjoyed. Even though he was a quiet man, you could tell from his actions that his family meant the world to him. He served as the “Rock” of the family---- the person that everyone depended on and you knew he would deliver. Even as his health began to decline, he always did as much as he could.  Dones peacefully made his transition at home surrounded by his family, on December 30.2020 after battling Alzheimer’s.  He is survived by his wife, Betsy. Son, Richard Holmes and daughter in-law, Kathy  Daughter, Gail Holmes, and son, Eric Holmes  Grandchildren and spouses:  Keith Holmes and wife, Carrie  Seneca Holmes and wife, Bobbie  Christiane Holmes, Christopher Holmes, Jennifer Holmes, Lauryn Holmes, Devin Holmes  Great-grandchildren:  Keith,Jr, Jeordon, Javani, Seneca, Tyrese, Santonio, Chase, Soren and Christian  He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews; TRIBUTES Don, I truly miss you. You were a great provider and supporter to our family and in all of our endeavors. Always rest assured that our children were taken care of and you were there for them. You were always very dependable and always showed me love. I am going to miss traveling and spending time with you. When you asked me to marry you, I said yes, and we were together 59 1/2 years.  Now you have departed to celebrate your final homecoming. There to meet your parents and to someday be reunited with me. For God hath said, “He shall be mine on the day that I make them my jewels“ (Malachi 3:17). “And so shall he ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17) Lovingly, Your Wife Betsy Sentiments from the family  Death always leaves a heartache that no one but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can heal, Love leaves a memory that no one can ever steal.  We know that every life is noted in God's ledger and is cherished, and nothing loved is ever lost or perished. We are all blessed to be a part of the Holmes legacy that evolved from Dones and that will live on for generations to come. Richard & Kathy and Family You were never a lecturer or a big talker…. But you didn’t need to say much. I learned from the example of how you lived your life as you were a hard worker and held the mantle as the foundation of our family. Much of what I have accomplished in life is rooted in what I saw in you. Always there for everyone, always can count on you. As I look at my own life, I realize that the biggest gift that you have given me is that as a role model. I truly thank you for that. Love Eric You were unapologetic. You stood your ground; as well as, lived and strongly believed in your convictions. Although, we sometimes didn’t see eye to eye and butted heads, I must give you the credit that is due. Early on, you knew your purpose in life; and you fulfilled it. Your mindset began as a youngster to create a life for you and your (future) family; in which you were unwavering in taking care of everything and everybody. THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER. Rest well.  Love, Gail  Zeke, you taught me a lot about life.  I'm glad that you finally found peace. Thank you for everything! Love, Chris  “Zeke” you have always been there and have never missed a beat during my childhood years. From birthdays to rewarding good grades to car rides home from school. You have always been just one phone call away. We have truly lost a good man but thankfully his spirit carries on through my dad. My grandfather’s influence and example has always left an impression on me. Zeke, I will hold you in my heart for a lifetime. It’s not a “good-bye” it’s an “until we meet again”.   - Love Jennifer Zeke---There are many words to describe how I feel. You always told us not to cry, but this time it’s not hard to. You did any and everything for me without hesitation. You made some of my biggest dreams come true. You were a provider. I’m going to miss you talking to me! Love,  Lauryn My grandfather, Zeke, has been an important person in my life. When I was born, he tried to learn ASL so he could communicate with me.  As a young child, he played around on the piano with me. I’m grateful for having him in my life.  Sometimes he was strict, but I will always cherish him. Thank you Zeke for being in my life. Love, Devin  We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, kind thoughts, and words. Broken Chain We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.