Rev. Harold M. Holmes, age 86 of Delaware returned to his Heavenly Savior on Sunday, July 4th, 2010 surrounded by his family.
He was born on May 10, 1924 in Willard to the late Howard and Marjorie (Sparks) Holmes, one of eleven children.
A graduate of Willard High School in 1943, he was then called to duty. He proudly served in the US Army during WW II, participating in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and the Philippine Liberation.
After returning from the war he married his beloved wife of 62 years: Nellie (Saunders) in Willard on March 2, 1948. In 1952 he completed his studies, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Olivet Nazarene University.
For the next 60 years, he became a servant of God. He and Nellie ministered to eight church communities. His first church assignment was the Caledonia Nazarene Church, followed by Syracuse Nazarene Church, Loudonville Nazarene Church, Athens Nazarene Church, and West Lafayette Nazarene Church. He came to Delaware in 1976 serving as pastor of the Delaware Nazarene Church and the Sunbury Nazarene Church. He continued to minister as pastor for the Vans Valley Community Church and finally at the young age of 80 officially retired.
His devotion to God, his family, and the members of his numerous congregations, left little time for outside interests. Ministry was his life. A member of the Sunbury Nazarene Church, he played softball on his various church teams and enjoyed a curiosity of old coins.
While soft spoken, he was happiest and at his best preaching the word of God. Tender hearted and a man of integrity, he loved people and was loved by all.
In addition to his wife Nellie he is survived by daughters: Sarah (David) Curtiss of California, Christina Hunter (Tim Overly) of Delaware, Debbie (Melvin) Seymour of Pennsylvania, Daniel (April) Holmes of Delaware, 6 Grandchildren, 6 Great-grandchildren, Sisters: Wanda Pelcher, Glenda Duncan, Janice Nead, Linda Howell all of Willard, Brother: Larry (Thelma) Holmes of Florida and countless parishioners.
He was preceded in death by his son Tim in 1975, brothers: Wendell, John, Glen, Gerald, and sister Loris Gayheart.
Friends may call Thursday 10:00 a.m. until Noon at the Vans Valley Community Church, 14440 SR 37 E, Sunbury, Ohio 43074 where a service giving glory to God in celebrating the life of Rev. Harold Holmes will follow Thursday at 12:00 Noon. Graveside services will follow at the New Haven Maple Grove Cemetery in Willard with military honors 4:00 p.m. Thursday.
Memorial contributions can be made to Odyssey Hospice, 540 Office Center Place, Columbus, OH 43230.
Condolences may be expressed to the Holmes family at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
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