Posted on 04/09/2018
Douglas J. Holmes passed away after a brief illness with congestive heart failure and pulmonary fibrosis on March 23, 2018. He was born April 15, 1932 in Ogden, Utah, to Ione Bailey and Parley C. Holmes. He attended Washington Elementary, Washington Jr. High and graduated from Ogden High School in 1950. He received a debate scholarship to Weber Jr. College where he attended before receiving his 4-year degree from the University of Utah in 1955. He received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. He was also an active member of the Air Force ROTC, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
He married Peggy Ann Slade on March 18, 1955 and later that year began his 24-year adventure as an officer in U.S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. His initial assignment was as a navigator of a KC-97 refueling tanker that serviced air-borne B-52s over the North Pole. After this initial 10-year period he was assigned to the intelligence branch of the U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon, where he finished his career as a highly decorated, full Colonel earning the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
During his time in the Air Force he earned his Masters of International Relations degree at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. graduating in 1967. And, after retiring, earned his Law Degree from the University of Utah in 1983.
As important as his career was to him, his family was even more important. Peggy was the love of his life, as were his three children, Brad, Kathy and Scott. He was an avid reader and instilled in all the family members the importance of high achievement and excellence in education. He enjoyed working with Peggy in the interior design shop she owned (Panache Interiors and Antiques) and traveling the world with her and his family. Doug was proud of his pioneer heritage and was impressed by their courage, fortitude and perseverance.
Doug believed in being an active community member and spent many hours trying to improve the lives of others through his work as a State Legislator, member of the Board of Trustees Ogden/Weber Applied Technology College, Weber State College Board of Trustees, Ogden Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah at Hill Air Force Base, Board Member Ogden Regional Medical Center, Board of Directors Ogden Golf and Country Club, and he was also an active member of many other civic organizations in Ogden.
Although he has passed from this life, he will never leave the hearts and minds of his family.
He has joined his beloved wife Peggy, as well as his mother and father and brothers and sisters, Wayne, Dean, Melba, Wanda, Lola, Jay, Lynne, Udel, Dennis and great grand-daughter Quincie Higginson.
He is survived by his three children, Brad (Cathy) Holmes, Kathryn Holmes, Scott (Lisa) Holmes, he is also survived by seven grandchildren, Emily (Phil) Stricker, Spencer (Natalie) Holmes, Sarah Snedaker, Robbie Pett, Michael Pett, Tausha (Joshua) Higginson, Tristan Tucker, and great-grandchildren Crosby Stricker and Abigail and Scarlett Higginson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
An informal graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 11:30 am in the Ogden City Cemetery where military honors will be accorded (enter the Cemetery from the entrance opposite Jefferson Avenue and go North to the fence and turn left). In case of inclement weather, service will be held at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary,
3408 Washington Boulevard. Friends may greet the family on Friday, March 30th from 6 to 8 pm at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary.
Published in Salt Lake Tribune from Mar. 27 to Mar. 29, 2018