Submit a PhotoRodney L. Holmes, 77, passed away in peace surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 17, 2021, in Chandler, Arizona. His hard-fought battle with both Alzheimer’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma abruptly took Rod from us but are no longer his menace.
Known to those immediate to him as ‘Hot Rod’, son of Vernon and Frances Holmes (Sprague), He was born March 24, 1944 in Jefferson, Iowa. Rod was raised on a farm in Bagley, Iowa and graduated from YJB High School in 1962 while active in 4H. With a class of 24, he participated in Football, Baseball, Basketball, Track, Band, Chorus, Glee Club, Class Plays and was a Class Officer.
Rod attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1967. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving four years. Rod achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Vietnam where he received the PRIDE Achievement Award and Air Force Commendation Medal.
He married Luanne LeMaster in June of 1973 and raised two children, Kari Holmes (Thomas) and Scott Holmes. Rod was employed at Iowa Power in Accounting until relocating from Des Moines in 1982 to Salt Lake City where Rod took employment at Rust Instrumentation and Controls until retirement in 2010.
Rod and Luanne were active in Walk to Emmaus and Marriage Encounter. They enjoyed travel and vacationing with close lifelong friends, playing cribbage, camping, coed softball, bowling leagues, serving and volunteering within their church families. Spending time with family and friends was always atop of Rod’s list of to-do’s.
Rod had a love of all sports, but his passion was attending University of Utah Football, Basketball and Gymnastics. However, he remained dedicated to his home state college teams, Iowa and Iowa State. He and Luanne enjoyed their retirement years in the Valley of the Sun, spending their time with grandchildren, attending their activities, and spending time pool side away from the snow and cold.
Rod is survived by his wife, Luanne Holmes; Daughter Kari (Bart) Thomas; Son Scott Holmes; Grandchildren Holly (Nick) Santoro; Austin (Analicia) Holmes; Zakery Thomas, Whitney Thomas, DJ (Brenda) Skuppin, Chase Skuppin; four Great Grandchildren; Brothers Larry Holmes, Gary (Connie) Holmes; uncle Harold Holmes and Niece and Nephews.
Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday November 5, 2021 at Redemption Gateway, 8635 E Pecos Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212, with a luncheon to follow. A private graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged in Rod’s name with the Alzheimer’s Association to further research and treatment. Please visit www.alz.org
The Holmes’ family extends our love and gratitude with Rod’s caretakers, Park Senior Villas of Chandler, Arizona Care Hospice, and All About You Placement. Your focus and dedication of Rod’s health and wellbeing exceeded our expectation, and you are forever in our gratitude.
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Luanne and family, so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your families difficult time. I enjoyed working with Rod for many years. I heard many old stories over the years with him. Great man he will be deeply missed.
Tim Parker
Pau and I and the kids all share with you in mourning the loss of such a great guy! We loved him so much. We were so fortunate to spend time with him in April and so much enjoyed sharing memories that he was able to pull from his memory bank to share with all of us. We love you all and will see you soon!
Dearest Luanne, My heart breaks for you. We are so very sorry for your loss. Rod is in Our Lord’s loving arm and is whole again. Our prayers are going up for your family. Your neighbors. The Cramers
Sorry to hear of Rod’s passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Louanne, All we know to say is we love you and our hearts are holding you in prayer.
Love Jim & Robin
Rod was a friend. He will be missed,
We are deeply saddened for your loss of a husband and father. You all are in our prayers that God will give you His blessed comfort.
Dear Luanne and Family,
My heart is with you as you lay to rest Rod. He will always be an upbeat, joyful, dedicated and smart man to me. May you rest in the knowledge of God’s enduring love for all of you.
My condolences to Luanne and Family. I worked with Rod when he was at Iowa Power. He and I along with Marv Kingery had many fun times together.
Our deepest condolences to Luanne and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I had the pleasure to work with Rod at Iowa Power.
Again our deepest sympathies to the family.
To Rodney’s friends and family,
There are people who just feel right to be around and Rod one of those rare characters. Something about his way was good and will be missed. Alzheimers is cruel and I hope we all remember him as he was before it came. He will be missed.
Luanne, you and Rod were always a loving and calming force. First when AJ and I attended Trinity UMC. I appreciated you both so much when you were able to take AJ to VBS. Years later we reconnected through Wasatch Walk to Emmaus. Whenever I needed to be “grounded” or vent so I could focus on the real reason why we are all here, it was the 2 of you I would go to. Thank you both for being Christ’s Body, voice and wisdom in sharing with others. Luanne, you will continue to be in my prayers. Rod is watching over you. 🙂 In Christ’s Love, Barb
Our deepest condolences to your family for the loss of such a wonderful man. Rod Holmes, a special, patient, and kind man who made such a big difference in my life in so many ways. I am also so blessed to share our birthdays together, March 24th. We always had fun celebrations for our special day! We will miss his fun stories and beautiful smile. God bless.