Franklin ‘Frank’ W. Holmes, 91, passed away on January 24, 2018 at home with his wife and family beside him. He was born June 10, 1926 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Arthur and Charlotte (Persons) Holmes.

Frank grew up in Planes, Montana. He enjoyed and participated in the high school football team. He left school his senior year to join the U.S. Navy, just prior to his 18th birthday during World War II, in 1943. Frank served in the Pacific theatre, during the war. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After the war, Frank returned home to Planes, Montana and met the love of his life, June Perry, they were joined in marriage in Thompson Falls, Montana, October 16, 1947. In 2017 Frank and June celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Frank proudly worked as an Electrical Lineman from Kansas State to Washington State, where he settled with his family and started working for Puget Sound Power and Light in 1957. Frank retired with 31 years of service in 1988 as a Line Foreman; during these years he was very active with IBEW Local 77 Union. He held many positions with the Union and helped introduce a lot of the safety practices that are still industry standards today. Frank continued to be a member of IBEW Union 77 after retirement, was a proud member of the Union for more than 65 years.

Frank loved fishing on the Skagit River and local lakes, and passed that on, not only to his children, but to his grandchildren. Frank also had an interest in a small hobby farm of raising beef cattle. During retirement, Frank and June spent a lot of time in Arizona, as rock hobbyists, from which they started making jewelry and art work from the rocks they collected. In later years, Frank enjoyed watching his grandkids with 4-H and FFA projects on the farm, raising animals that included goats, beef cattle, horses and pigs.
Frank is survived by his wife of 70 years, June; sons, Ron and wife, Mary Holmes, of Sedro-Woolley and Curt and wife, Leslie Holmes, of Samish Island; eight grandsons, Shawn (Terri), Travis (Nancy), Justin (Kendra), Derek (Dana) and Jeremy (Pelar) Holmes, Nick (Lindsay) and Tyson Wood and Cody Smith; 14 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; brother, Marvin Holmes, of McAlester, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful daughter, Debbie Smith; parents, Arthur and Charlotte (Persons) Holmes; brother, Larry Holmes; three sisters, Blanche Ryer, Cleo Rummel and Angie Halsey.

The family wants to thank Skagit Valley Kidney Center, Skagit Valley Hospital, Hospice of the Northwest and Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. Also, a big thank you to granddaughters, Nancy Holmes and Kadie Holmes for all of their care to Frank while he was home his final days. Thank you to family and friends for all of your support.

A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00, Monday, January 29, 2018, at Bow Cemetery with Military Honors. Reception will follow the graveside service at The Eagles in Burlington, 119 N Cherry Street. A time of visitation will be available Friday 9:00 to 5:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00 at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Please share your memories of Frank and sign the online guest register.