Raymond Holmes

Raymond Andrew Holmes was born to Maude and Ray Holmes on December 8, 1940 in South Bend, Indiana. He was a product of the South Bend Public School System where he was a standout football player for Washington High School. Raymond was such an avid football player that he helped lead the team to a State Championship in 1961. He decided to serve his country and pursue a military career at an early age. He joined the Marine Corps and served for three years.

Raymond was Honorably Discharged and returned home to enter the workforce. He gained employment at the U.S. Steel Mill in Gary, Indiana and worked there until an opportunity presented itself at Ford Motor Company. In 1967, he started working on the assembly line at the Chicago Heights Stamping Plant. Raymond tenaciously worked at Ford Motor Company and his hard work did not go unnoticed.  He was promoted to a supervisory role and continued working his way up the tiers of the Ford Motor Company ladder all the way to the top position of Plant Manager; and transferred to the Chicago Assembly Plant where he worked until he retired in 2000. Nearly 20 years after his retirement, employees at Ford Motor Company are still talking about the legend of Ray Holmes. Raymond had such a strong work ethic that he gained part-time employment at the Blue Chip Casino as a security officer as soon as it opened in 1997. Upon retirement at Ford Motor Company, he started working full-time and continued to work there until his health declined.

On October 16, 2019, Raymond left this earthly world and leaves to celebrate his life, children: Shirley Chism, Kimberly Walton, Anthony Holmes, Wendell Holmes, and Aimbréll Holmes; grandchildren: Crystal, Jaquise, Ernie, Takarra, Justin, Rudi, Jarodd, Joy, AJ, Essence, Ebony, and Juwan; a host of great-grandchildren; loving sister, Marilyn Holmes; nephews: Kevin and Thomas; three aunts: Mella Townsend, Betty Stone, Georgia Bradshaw; and a host of other relatives and friends, with a special friend in Jacquelyn Gordon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maude and Ray Holmes; grandparents, George and Martha Townsend; several aunts and uncles with his favorite being Uncle Ben; children: Steven Holmes and Carl Holmes; and two grandchildren: Demetri Buchanan and Clarissa Chism.

Bishop Donald L. Alford Sr. will officiate.

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