Obituary for Dennis A. Holmes

Dennis A. Holmes, 77, of Kenton, died April 4, 2024 at Mercy Health St. Rita’s in Lima.  His family will host a celebration of life in California.  It was his wish to have his cremated remains spread in the Mojave Desert.

Dennis was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1947, to Allen and Florence (Haviland) Holmes.  His father is deceased.  His mother lives in Valencia, CA.

Surviving are his wife Tonya (Bloom) Holmes, married in 1987, sons Jarrett Holmes of Upper Arlington, Dane (Annika) and granddaughters Emily, Zoe and Kaia Holmes of Karlsruhe, Germany.

Also surviving are his sister Patricia (Howard) Yamamoto of Newhall, CA, brother Jack (Kathy) Holmes of Claremont, CA, 2 nephews, 4 nieces and their children.

At age 5, Dennis and his family moved to southern California.  As a youth, he was very involved playing trumpet in the school bands.  As an adult, he and Jack were printers at their parent’s shop.

Taking up the horn again, Dennis met his wife in a community band.  First a move to Marion, Ohio, then back to California after Allen’s death.  Then in 1995, a permanent move near Tonya’s parents in Kenton.  Dennis worked for a short time at K-Mart and Krogers.  He and Tonya performed in the Wolf Creek Band.  Then an audition led to a scholarship at Ohio Northern University.  He graduated with high distinction in 2005 with degrees in music education.

He supported St. Jude’s and Ukraine.    

The family was assisted with arrangements by SCHINDEWOLF-STOUT-CRATES FUNERAL HOME.