Charles Wesley Holmes, Age 90, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2011 at his home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. He was born April 18, 1921 in Astoria, Oregon to Earl and Bernice (McCoy) Holmes.
A resident of Sedro-Woolley since 1933, Wes attended school and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII serving in the South Pacific for 18 months during the invasion of the Philippines. In 1942, he was married to Louella Brookings and she preceded him in death in January of 2006.
Wes worked as a heavy equipment operator in road construction on the Baker River Dam, in Alaska, and the Skagit County Road Department for many years retiring in 1983. He was an avid hunter and fisherman enjoying the back country and was a member of Faith Baptist Church of Burlington, George Baldridge Post #31 American Legion, Operating Engineer’s Union Local #302 for over 50 years, Wildcat Steelhead Club, and the Horseman’s Club.
Wes is survived by his two sons, Lynn Holmes and his wife Barbara of Oak Harbor and Doug Holmes and his wife Becke of Poulsbo, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean Smith and her husband Louie of Bellingham. Louie was Wes’s life-long friend.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, November 3, 2011 at Faith Baptist Church, 800 E. Rio Vista Ave., Burlington, with Pastor James Shaw officiating with interment to follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. A reception will follow the services at the church. A time of visitation will be available from 9 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday and Wednesday at Lemley Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Faith Baptist Church.
Would like to extend my sympathy to the family. I have not seen Wes in many, many years. We attended the same grade school . I remember him and the other older boys swinging us younger ones on the branches of a large fir tree that hung across the fence from the nieghbor’s woods. That was fun! He was about the same age as my brother, Bill, is.
My sympathy to his family and to Jean and Louie Smith. It is a definite loss when those we care so much about are gone, but it is wonderful to know that he was a man of faith.
Dorothy
What a kind, wonderful man. We loved our visits with Wes and Louella at their home and during our time at Faith. They were both so kind, and very special to the children. You will be missed by many, but we are sure you were welcomed into our eternal home by so many more! See you again Wes!