Theodore Holmes

Theodore Holmes passed away peacefully September 6, 2022 in Canton, Georgia at the age of
103. He was born in Syracuse, New York February 7, 1919 and grew up in Fayetteville, New
York.
Theodore was the only child of Ernest Julio Holmes and Linley Howell Holmes. Typical of the
period, his parents lived a simple life, sustaining the family with their small farm. His father
owned a gas station and his mother sold eggs from her chickens at markets in Syracuse. During
the Great Depression young Ted had a paper route at an early age to help the family. Always a
curious person, he was a good student and explored the world through his own reading and
research. Theodore graduated Fayetteville High School in 1936, but lacking funds for college,
he took a job at a local die casting factory. He soon married his high school sweetheart, Edna
Conde and began a family.
In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WWII on the USS Osage in the Pacific as
a Radarman. Upon discharge, he used his skills in mathematics and carpentry to work with his
father-in-law installing aluminum storm windows, a new advancement of the time. He typically
worked six days a week and also “moonlighted” at a bowling alley to help his children attend
college. In the 1960’s Theodore took the civil service exam and began work for the U.S Postal
Service until his retirement.
During his lifetime, he was proficient at many pastimes including swimming, springboard diving,
ice skating, horse shoes, bowling and card games, especially Cribbage. He treasured two
cribbage boards, one hand crafted by his father and the other by his grandfather James Henry
Holmes. He also enjoyed hiking, traveling, square dancing, genealogy study, personal
computing, investing, and collecting coins and antique clocks. He enjoyed all kinds of music
from Methodist hymns to symphony and opera. He could engage in conversations on many
subjects and was interested in learning from others.
After the passing of his wife Edna in 1978, Theodore retired and moved to Tucson, Arizona to
escape the harsh winters of central New York and to be close to his only grandson, Peter. There
he met Kathleen Curtis who became his second wife. They enjoyed square dancing and
traveling together until her passing in 2003. In 2015 at the age of 96 Theodore moved to
Canton, GA to be near his daughter, Karen.
Theodore is survived by his daughter Karen (Don) Converse of Canton GA, son Theodore R.
Holmes of Dewitt NY, grandson Peter W. Holmes of Alameda, CA, granddaughters Wendy
Converse Jones of Carrollton, GA and Jennifer Converse (Donnie) Hetherington of
Murfreesboro, TN. His oldest son Alan Jay Holmes (Ann Wirtz) predeceased him in 2018. Also
surviving are 6 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren as well as other beloved
family members, step children and step grandchildren.
Theodore’s remains will be interred in White Chapel Memory Gardens, Dewitt NY next to his
wife Edna. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity.