Jerry Dell Holmes, Sr.

Jerry Dell Holmes, Sr., went to be with the Lord on April 4, 2024. Jerry D. Holmes was born on November 30, 1935, to Wilber L. Holmes and Amie E. Holmes in Mt. Vernon, Texas. He grew up on a farm outside of Mt. Vernon, Texas and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School at the age of sixteen. Jerry graduated from East Texas State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While at East Texas State, Jerry accepted a dare and entered the bull riding rodeo competition in which he won and became the East Texas State Bull Riding Champion; however, that was the end of Jerry’s rodeo career! Jerry then went to work for American Oil Company in Texas City, Texas as a chemist. While working in Texas City, he met the love of his life, Susie King. They were married in 1957. They lived in Texas City, Texas until they decided to move to Austin, Texas in 1960 where Jerry earned his Ph.D in organic chemistry from the University of Texas in Austin. While in Austin, Jerry and Susie had their first child, Lisa. After graduation, Jerry accepted a position as a research chemist with Texas Eastman Company in Longview, Texas in 1963. Shortly after they moved to Longview, they had twin daughters Melinda and Belinda. Tragically Belinda did not survive. While in Longview, Jerry and Susie finally had those boys Jerry always wanted (be careful what you wish for!), Jerry Jr. and James. 

Jerry was Director of Research and Development at Texas Eastman when he was transferred to Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, Tennessee in 1984. Jerry retired from Eastman Chemical in 1997 as Vice President of Research and Development. During his career, Jerry was awarded eighteen U.S. patents with four technical publications (whatever that means) and received numerous awards. Jerry also served on many charitable boards and was active for the last 30 years in his current church, First Presbyterian Church, Kingsport, TN in which he cherished the relationships he had with his fellow members.

Although Jerry was a brilliant man, except for the bull riding, and accomplished scientist, his four children admire him most for the example he set as a husband and father. Jerry was a baseball and basketball coach and taught many Sunday School classes. He was always there for his children attending countless sporting events and school activities and always with words of encouragement. He did the same with his grandchildren.  

Jerry showed his children how to love someone with all your heart with his relationship with their mother, Susie. Jerry and Susie were each other’s best friend and they enjoyed doing so many things together such as Bridge Club, tennis, golf, the lake and the beach. After the children were out of the house, Jerry and Susie had the opportunity to travel throughout the United States and abroad which they loved. However, when Alzheimer’s disease took the Susie he knew away, he never stopped loving her. He took her ice cream and held her hand every day in the care facility until the day she died. He is now able to reunite with his beloved Susie. 

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Margaret “Susie” Holmes, his parents, his three brothers, Leonard Holmes, Bill Holmes and Wes Holmes, son in law, Tim Jamieson, daughter, Belinda Ann Holmes, and best friend Parker Trent. 

Jerry is survived by his children, Lisa Jamieson; Melinda Law and husband John; Jerry Holmes, Jr. and wife Kimberly; and James Holmes and wife Teronya.   Jerry is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Lauren Jamieson, Alicia Vogel, Samantha Read and husband Andrew, Elizabeth Law, Sarah Law and husband Sathiyan Sivakumaran, Jerry Holmes, III, Jameson Holmes, Aaron Holmes, Preston Holmes, William Holmes and great granddaughter, Savannah Vogel. Jerry is also survived by dear friends Barbara Trent and Tucker and Tina Davis.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Church Circle on May 11^th at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to greet the family to follow in the Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660.