Robert "Bob" Holmes

Robert “Bob” Holmes, 86 years old, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 14, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home, following a courageous battle of cancer.

Bob was born May 5, 1938, in Lima, Ohio. On December 12, 1964, he was united in marriage to his “sweetheart”, Karen Sue Brackney (deceased). They were married for 56 years, had 10 children, 28 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, which he is most proud of.

Bob graduated from Elida High School in 1956, and his greatly admired hard work history started upon graduating with his BA degree in Business Administration from Ohio Northern University in 1960. He first started out his career as the Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the First Toledo Corporation. In 1962, he helped form Holmes Realty Co., and left Toledo Corporation to pursue his 35 years in the real estate business and was named Broker of the Year in 1984 by the Lima Board of Realtors.

Bob served as the elected Clerk of the Lima Municipal Court from 1990 until his retirement in 2008. During that time, he was also the Trustee of The Ohio Association of Municipal Court Clerks, acting as their Legislative Chairman and member of their Executive Board.

Bob is the former Chairman of the Allen County Republican Party and served in that capacity from 1974 until 1994. During that time, he was the 4th and the 12th District Committeeman of The Ohio Republican Party and also served as the Treasurer. He proudly organized and chaired five Presidential and Vice-Presidential campaign visits including the 1980 Ronald Reagan Whistle Stop Rally in Lima (rated at the time as one of the best three rallies in the nation by the White House Staff).

Bob taught leadership courses, real estate courses, conducted various political seminars, and often guest spoke at Ohio State University-Lima and Ohio Northern University. He was a member of the Elks, Eagles, Fraternal Order of Police Association, Rotary Club, and served as the Treasurer and Board Member of Crimestoppers.

Bob was a member of Elida Immanuel Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Sue; his parents, Olive (Dodge) and Vincent “Red” Holmes; his son, Jeffrey Holmes; his grandson, Gage Holmes;, and his mother-in-law, Jean Dellinger. He is survived by his brother, Don (Maedene) Holmes; his sister-in-law, Debbie (Craig) Sullivan; his daughter-in-law, Kimberly Holmes; and his children: Dr. Curt Holmes, Mike Holmes, Chris (Michell) Holmes, Scott (Deanna) Holmes, Beth (Carl) Mazzocca, Brittany (Chris) Schimpf, Tina (Brent) Brinkman, Dr. Tim (Danielle) Holmes, and Brandy (Jay) Hollstein. He was a loving grandfather to 28 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home on Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 12 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the funeral home at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Elida, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the CHP Home Care & Hospice – Lima, 3739-A Shawnee Rd, Lima, Ohio, in honor of all the amazing nurses that held a special place in his heart and took such great care of him.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.