It is with sadness to announce the passing of our father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Dewey Ronald “Joe” Holmes. Ron passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his four children on Friday, October 28 at the age of 72.
Ron was born in Lovelock, Nevada on July 24, 1950, to Harold Henry Holmes and Neva Frances Emery. He was the baby of the family with five older siblings. Ron was nicknamed Joe by his older sister Donna but didn’t go by Ron until he moved to Fallon at the age of 11. He attended Churchill County High School where he excelled in playing sports. He earned the nickname “dead eye” as he was the most accurate shooter on his state-champion basketball team. His other love was baseball. After graduation, he attended Southern Utah State College in Cedar City, Utah where he earned an accounting degree. While there, he also met Paula Coon to whom he later married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 27, 1974, but was later divorced. Together they had four children.
He was so excited when he came home with his 1964 “Cherry Red” Camaro that was actually orange; unbeknownst to him because he was color blind. He wasn’t afraid of hard work, practice, or bending the rules. He always said, “if you’re on time, you’re late.” Ron ran a successful mortgage business in Utah. Many people warned him of how crazy he was to start a mortgage business in the 80s, when interest rates were almost 20%. He ended up being so successful that Zions Bank acquired his company and made him president of the newly formed mortgage department. He was laser-focused on customer service professionally, but he also loved helping and serving others in any way that he could. He did most of this anonymously without ever seeking recognition.
Ron was a talented athlete, who loved coaching and mentoring others. He had a positive impact on many lives in this capacity. He was a die-hard Boston Red Sox and Utah Jazz fan. He also loved camping, biking, and hiking. He adored his grandchildren and always had orange tic-tacs for them. He loved watching them in their various hobbies.
Ron is survived by his siblings Dick (Gwen) Holmes, Donna Triguero, and his children: Michael Holmes, Stacy (Andrew) O’Farrell, Megan (Rudy) Meier, and Travis (Kirby) Holmes, and his 10 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold Holmes and Neva Nelson, his brother Raymond Holmes, and sisters Georgia Gore and Jacqueline Murphy.
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the incredible staff at Brighton House Assisted Living for the love, care, and comfort that they provided during the last few months of his life.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 7 at 11 am with a viewing from 9:30-10:45 am at Broomhead Funeral Home, 12600 South 2200 West, Riverton, UT 84065. Interment to follow at Riverton City Cemetery.
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