Richard "Joe" L. Holmes

June 9, 1933 - October 17, 2017

Richard L. “Joe” Holmes, 84, of Central City died Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Merrick Medical Center. As per Joe’s wishes, there will be no services. Joe was born on June 9, 1933 to Merle J. and Elizabeth (Yetter) Holmes in Fullerton, Nebraska. He grew up in Fullerton and graduated from Fullerton High School in 1951. He then joined the United States Air Force on August 12, 1952. He retired from the Air Force on September 30, 1973 and bought a home in Central City, and has lived here ever since. He spent the next 21 years traveling around the world and United States. He wintered in Harlingen, Texas for over 15 years. Joe worked at Safeway in Central City until it closed and then went to work at the Aurora Mall until he retired in June of 1995. He married Rose Ann Shelton at the Fairview United Methodist Church on July 22, 1956. Rose Ann died on March 2, 1996. For the remaining 21 years of his life, Joe spent his time with a special friend Shirley Thomas. Joe was a member of the United Methodist Church in Central City. He enjoyed going to Nascar races, watching the Food Channel, and traveling to restaurants he viewed on the Food Channel. He enjoyed pheasant hunting and attending sporting events in his younger days. Joe especially enjoyed family and family gatherings. He is survived by three sons- Merle and Eileen Holmes of Grand Island, NE; Richard and Laurie Holmes of Aurora, NE; and James and Connie Holmes of Grand Island, NE; special friend – Shirley Thomas of Fullerton; one sister- Roseanne Hoebbel of Phoenix, AZ; ten grandchildren- Taylor, Cassandra, and Kyle Christenson; Matt and Ashley Holmes; Cheney and Jess Holmes; Kyle (Katie) Holmes and Kevin (Liz) Holmes; Elsie Holmes; two great grandchildren- Grayson and Connor Holmes. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife – Rose Ann; two brothers- Wendell “Red” and Lowell Gary Holmes.