Gene Dale Holmes, 68, of Columbia, was reunited with his son, Chris, in heaven on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.
He was born May 16, 1956 to Rollin Holmes, who survives, and the late Betty Burton Holmes.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Jeanetta Mae Foster Holmes, on June 16, 1973. They were blessed with 52 years of marriage come June. God blessed them with three children, Melanie Holmes Willis (Lloyd), Lyndsey Holmes Schlabach (Ervin) and Christopher Rollins Holmes who went to be with the Lord on August 20, 1988. Their children blessed them with four grandchildren, Kaleb Willis (Brooklynn), Laura Coffey (Chris), Landon Jessie (Brooke) and Conner Ford. His pride and joy were his four great-grandchildren, Rylee Willis, Danny Kase Willis, Lanie Coffey and Bowen Jessie (due in June). He shared a close bond with his sisters, Delaine Corbin (Tommy) and Janet Lynn Turner (Eugene); one brother, Barry Absher; and his youngest sister, Marsha Lawhorn. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Phyllis Jane Holmes, in 1949. He also had 14 bonus grandchildren, Dan (Ruthie), Andy (Verna), Eddie (Catherine), Elmer (Ella), Eli (Catherine), Ervin (Leanna), Melvin, Robert, William, Miriam, Lizzie, Susie, Leroy (Rachel) and Barbara (Roman). He was blessed with many nieces and nephews, who were very special to him.
If you knew Gene Dale, then you know he always had a project going. He loved to fish, farm, work with his hands and riding his great grandbabies around the farm on the Kubota. He found strength in his life through the love of his Savior and his family.
Gene Dale was a member of Bloomington Chapel Church where he served as superintendent and a deacon. He loved and was loved by his church family.
Funeral service was held Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Bloomington Chapel Church with burial in Bearwallow Cemetery. Casket bearers were Kaleb Willis, Landon Jessie, Conner Ford, Chris Coffey, Clinton Matthews, Trevor Matthews and Levi Burton. Honorary casket bearers were Laura and Lanie Coffey, Brooklynn, Rylee and Danny Willis, Brooke and Bowen Jessie.
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
