Robert Ray "Bob" Holmes Sr.

      Bob was born on March 2, 1942 in rural Creal Springs to the late Lowell Ray and Julia Savanna (Newell) Holmes.  On May 3, 1963 he married Geraldine “Geri” Lucas and she preceded him in death on September 6, 2007.  On July 23, 2021 he married Gailene “Gail” Harrelson and she survives in Harrisburg. He worked for the City of Harrisburg water department and then served as Harrisburg Township Road Commissioner for 8 years. Bob also formerly worked for Peabody Coal Company. Bob served his community as a volunteer fireman for 43 years and as the Republican Chairman for Saline County. Bob was a member of McKinley Avenue Baptist Church. and the Harrisburg Masonic Lodge #325 where he was a 32nd Degree Mason.  Bob was a booster of local athletics, volunteering for Harrisburg Youth Athletics building athletic facilities and with the annual River-to-River Road Race.  Bob was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, serving as a member of Quails Unlimited for a number of years and spending hours in the field hunting whitetail deer or following behind his bird dogs.   His family remember him as loyal, honest, and community minded.

      Bob is survived by his wife, Gail Harrelson-Holmes of Harrisburg; son, Robert Ray Holmes Jr. and wife Joanne of Wildwood, Missouri; daughter, Trena Lynn Black and husband Brent of Norris City; two step-children, Christina Ann Wheeler and husband Larry of Oregon; Robert Glenn Harrelson of Eldorado; step daughter-in-law, Marie Harrelson of Eldorado; fourteen grandchildren, Rebecca, Amanda, Trenton, Sophia, Travis, Olivia, Colton, Sheree, Dylan, Nicholas, Chelsea, Jacob, Tyler, and Angelica; nine great-grandchildren, Paizlee, Adilyn, Harper, Gianella, Gunner, Lucas, Adien, Wallen, Arthur and Connor; brother, William Holmes of Marion; sister, Betty Parton and husband John of Marion; brother, Gary Holmes and wife Kim of Creal Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

      Bob was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Geri Holmes; step-son, Troy Don Harrelson; great grandson, Michael Robert Holmes; grandson-in-law, Gonzalo Sabogal; sister, Delia Alice “Deed” Hollerson and husband Jean.

      Funeral services for Robert Ray “Bob” Holmes, Sr. will be held at 11 AM, Monday, April 29, 2024 at Stricklin Funeral Home in Harrisburg. Robert Ray Holmes Jr. will officiate and burial will follow in Sunset Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 11 AM, Monday, April 29, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family on his obituary page at www.stricklinfuneralhome.com.

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