John Lee Holmes

John Lee Holmes, age 79, of Hiawassee, Georgia passed away peacefully on February 9, 2022 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. John was born August 9, 1942 in Alma, Michigan and was the oldest son of Betty E. Holmes and the late John William Holmes.

John graduated from St. Louis High School in 1960 and went onto obtain his bachelor’s degree in economics from Ferris State College in Michigan.  He later earned his Master’s in Business Administration from Central Michigan University where he also taught.  John served in the United States Army with the 108^th Military Intelligence group.  He worked many years in corporate purchasing for companies including Toyota, Kubota, and Merillat. After retirement John drove for Turpin Wrecker Service.  

He loved living in the mountains of northeast Georgia and enjoyed nature, birds, waterfalls, and lakes.  John often voiced his amazement at the beauty of the area, saying you can worship God anywhere here.  John was a conversationalist.  He loved to talk about his life-long passion for planes, trains, and automobiles of all kinds.

John Lee Holmes was preceded in death by his wife of 33 years Alice Josephine (Joady) Holmes, his father John William Holmes, and his brother Rodney Holmes.  

He is survived by Pansy Galloway, who he adored and cherished, as well as his mother Betty Holmes of Hiawassee, Georgia; son John Walter Holmes and wife Cameron of Fort Worth, Texas; son Justin Holmes, wife Renee, and grandsons Truman and Bennett of Georgetown, Kentucky; sister Carol (Gary) Oeder of Hiawassee, Georgia, sister Sue Forte of Laurel, Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Please join the family at the Celebration of Life for John Lee Holmes. Come hear stories of fond memories or maybe tell some. Dress will be casual, drinks and ice cream ( John's favorite food group) will be provided.

The Celebration will be on Sunday, March 6th, 2022, between 1-3p.m. at The Ridges Resort in Hiawassee, Ga in the High Coves Room.

More details will be shared in the coming days so that all who knew and loved John may attend.  You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.cochranfuneralhome.com <http://www.cochranfuneralhome.com>.